— lipless , adj. — liplike , adj.
/lip/ , n., adj., v., lipped, lipping .
n.
1. either of the two fleshy parts or folds forming the margins of the mouth and functioning in speech.
2. Usually, lips . these parts as organs of speech: I heard it from his own lips.
3. a projecting edge on a container or other hollow object: the lip of a pitcher.
4. a liplike part or structure, esp. of anatomy.
5. any edge or rim.
6. the edge of an opening or cavity, as of a canyon or a wound: the lip of the crater.
7. Slang. impudent talk; back talk: Don't give me any of your lip.
8. Bot. either of the two parts into which the corolla or calyx of certain plants, esp. of the mint family, is divided.
9. Zool.
a. a labium.
b. the outer or the inner margin of the aperture of a gastropod's shell.
10. Music. the position and arrangement of lips and tongue in playing a wind instrument; embouchure.
11. the cutting edge of a tool.
12. the blade, at the end of an auger, which cuts the chip after it has been circumscribed by the spur.
13. (in a twist drill) the cutting edge at the bottom of each flute.
14. bite one's lip or tongue , to repress one's anger or other emotions: He wanted to return the insult, but bit his lip.
15. button one's lip , Slang. to keep silent, esp., to refrain from revealing information: They told him to button his lip if he didn't want trouble. Also, button up .
16. hang on the lips of , to listen to very attentively: The members of the club hung on the lips of the visiting lecturer.
17. keep a stiff upper lip ,
a. to face misfortune bravely and resolutely: Throughout the crisis they kept a stiff upper lip.
b. to suppress the display of any emotion.
18. smack one's lips , to indicate one's keen enjoyment or pleasurable anticipation of: We smacked our lips over the delicious meal.
adj.
19. of or pertaining to the lips or a lip: lip ointment.
20. characterized by or made with the lips: to read lip movements.
21. superficial or insincere: to offer lip praise.
v.t.
22. to touch with the lips.
23. Golf. to hit the ball over the rim of (the hole).
24. to utter, esp. softly.
25. to kiss.
v.i.
26. to use the lips in playing a musical wind instrument.
27. lip off , Slang. to talk impudently or belligerently.
[ bef. 1000; ME lip ( pe ), OE lippa; c. D lip, G Lippe; akin to Norw lepe, L labium ]