lop 1
/lop/ , v. , lopped, lopping , n.
v.t.
1. to cut off (branches, twigs, etc.) from a tree or other plant.
2. to cut off (a limb, part, or the like) from a person, animal, etc.
3. to cut off the branches, twigs, etc., of (a tree or other plant).
4. to eliminate as unnecessary or excessive: We had to lop off whole pages of the report before presenting it to the committee.
5. Archaic. to cut off the head, limbs, etc., of (a person).
v.i.
6. to cut off branches, twigs, etc., as of a tree.
7. to remove parts by or as by cutting.
n.
8. parts or a part lopped off.
9. (of trees) the smaller branches and twigs not useful as timber.
[ 1375-1425; late ME loppe part or parts cut off ; perh. akin to OE loppe spider (see LOP 2 , LOBSTER ]
lop 2
/lop/ , v. , lopped, lopping , adj.
v.i.
1. to hang loosely or limply; droop.
2. to sway, move, or go in a drooping or heavy, awkward way.
3. to move in short, quick leaps: a rabbit lopping through the garden.
v.t.
4. to let hang or droop: He lopped his arms at his sides in utter exhaustion.
adj.
5. hanging down limply or droopingly: lop ears.
[ 1570-80; v. use of obs. lop spider or lop dangling part of a tree (see LOP 1 ); lit., to behave like a lop, i.e., to dangle, hang loosely. See LOB 1 ]