Main Entry:

¹chop

Pronunciation:

\ˈchäp\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

chopped; chop·ping

Etymology:

Middle English chappen, choppen — more at chap

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to cut into or sever usually by repeated blows of a sharp instrument b: to cut into pieces —often used with up<chop up an onion> c: to weed and thin out (young cotton) d: to cut as if by chopping <chop prices> <a bridge chops the lake in two>2: to strike (as a ball) with a short quick downward stroke3: to subject to the action of a chopper <chop a beam of light>intransitive verb1: to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (as an ax)2archaic : to move or act suddenly or violently