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clip

verb (1)
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\ ˈklip How to pronounce clip (audio) \
clipped; clipping

Definition of clip

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : encompass
2a : to hold in a tight grip : clutch
b : to clasp, fasten, or secure with a clip

clip

noun (1)

Definition of clip (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : any of various devices that grip, clasp, or hook
2 : a device to hold cartridges for charging the magazines of some rifles also : a magazine from which ammunition is fed into the chamber of a firearm
3 : something (such as a piece of jewelry) that is worn as an ornament or fastener and that is held in position by a clip

clip

verb (2)
clipped; clipping

Definition of clip (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to cut or cut off with or as if with shears clip a dog's hair clip an hour off traveling time
b : to cut off the distal or outer part of
c(1) : excise entry 3
(2) : to cut items out of (a publication, such as a newspaper)
2a : curtail, diminish
b : to abbreviate in speech or writing
3 : hit, punch especially : to strike in passing the car skidded off the road and clipped a lamppost
4 : to illegally block (an opposing player) in football
5 : to take money from unfairly or dishonestly especially by overcharging the nightclub clipped the tourist for $200

intransitive verb

1 : to clip something
2 : to travel or pass rapidly
3 : to clip an opposing player in football

clip

noun (2)

Definition of clip (Entry 4 of 4)

1a clips plural, Scotland : shears
b : a 2-bladed instrument for cutting especially the nails
2 : something that is clipped: such as
a : the product of a single shearing (as of sheep)
b : a crop of wool of a sheep, a flock, or a region
c : a section of filmed, videotaped, or recorded material
d : a clipping especially from a newspaper
3 : an act of clipping
4 : a sharp blow
5 : rate sense 1a continues at a brisk clip
6 : a single instance or occasion : time he charged $10 a clip —often used in the phrase at a clip trained 1000 workers at a clip
Synonyms Phrases Containing clip Learn More About clip

First Known Use of clip

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for clip

Verb (1)

Middle English clippen, from Old English clyppan; akin to Old High German klāftra fathom, Lithuanian globti to embrace

Verb (2)

Middle English clippen, from Old Norse klippa

Learn More About clip

Time Traveler for clip

Time Traveler

The first known use of clip was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near clip

clionidae

clip

clip art

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Statistics for clip

Cite this Entry

“Clip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clip. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for clip

clip

noun
\ ˈklip How to pronounce clip (audio) \

Kids Definition of clip

 (Entry 1 of 4)

: a device that holds or hooks

clip

verb
clipped; clipping

Kids Definition of clip (Entry 2 of 4)

: to fasten with a clip Remember to clip the papers together.

clip

verb
clipped; clipping

Kids Definition of clip (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : to shorten or remove by cutting clip a hedge We clipped a leaf to examine it.
2 : to cut off or trim the hair or wool of
3 : to cut out or off He clipped articles from the newspaper.

clip

noun

Kids Definition of clip (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a sharp blow
2 : a rapid pace My horse moved along at a good clip.
3 : a short section of a recording a film clip

clip

noun
\ ˈklip How to pronounce clip (audio) \

Medical Definition of clip

: a device used to arrest bleeding from vessels or tissues during operations

More from Merriam-Webster on clip

Nglish: Translation of clip for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of clip for Arabic Speakers

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