Main Entry: ¹dip

Pronunciation: \ˈdip\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): dipped; dip·ping

Etymology: Middle English dippen, from Old English dyppan; akin to Old High German tupfen to wash, Lithuanian dubus deep

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to plunge or immerse momentarily or partially under the surface (as of a liquid) so as to moisten, cool, or coat <dip candles> b : to thrust in a way to suggest immersion c : to immerse (as a sheep or dog) in an antiseptic or parasiticidal solution
2 a : to lift a portion of by reaching below the surface with something shaped to hold liquid : ladle b : to take a portion of (snuff)
3 a archaic : involve b : mortgage
4 a : to lower and then raise again <dip a flag in salute> b chiefly British : dim 2intransitive verb 1 a : to plunge into a liquid and quickly emerge b : to immerse something into a processing liquid or finishing material
2 a : to suddenly drop down or out of sight b of an airplane : to drop suddenly before climbing c : to decline or decrease moderately and usually temporarily <prices dipped> d : to lower the body momentarily especially as part of an athletic or dancing motion
3 a : to withdraw a part of the contents of something by or as if by reaching down inside it —used with into <dipped into his pocket for change> <dipped into the family's savings>
4 : to examine or read something casually or superficially —used with into <dip into a book>
5 : to incline downward from the plane of the horizon

— dip·pa·ble \ˈdi-pə-bəl\ adjective