- chop
-
chop1
/chop/, v., chopped, chopping, n.v.t.1. to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows, using an ax, hatchet, etc. (often fol. by down, off, etc.): to chop down a tree.2. to make or prepare for use by so cutting: to chop logs.3. to cut in pieces; mince (often fol. by up): to chop up an onion; to chop meat.5. to weed and thin out (growing cotton) with a hoe.6. Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to attack and kill (a fox that has not begun to run).v.i.7. to make a quick, heavy stroke or a series of strokes, as with an ax.8. Boxing. to throw or deliver a short blow, esp. a downward one while in a clinch.10. to go, come, or move suddenly or violently.n.12. an act or instance of chopping.13. a cutting blow.14. Boxing. a short blow, esp. a downward one, executed while in a clinch.15. a piece chopped off.16. an individual cut or portion of meat, as mutton, lamb, veal, or pork, usually one containing a rib.17. crushed or ground grain used as animal feed.18. a short, irregular, broken motion of waves; choppiness: There's too much chop for rowing today.19. rough, turbulent water, as of a sea or lake.20. See chop stroke.[1350-1400; ME choppen; var. of CHAP1]chop2/chop/, v.i., chopped, chopping.1. to turn, shift, or change suddenly: The wind chopped to the west.2. to vacillate; change one's mind.3. Obs.a. to barter.b. to bandy words; argue.4. chop logic, to reason or dispute argumentatively; draw unnecessary distinctions.[1425-75; var. of obs. chap barter, ME chappen (with vowel as in CHAPMAN), chepen, OE ceapian to trade (deriv. of ceap sale, trade; see CHEAP)]chop3/chop/, n.1. Usually, chops. the jaw.2. chops,a. the oral cavity; mouth.b. Slang. the embouchure or technique necessary to play a wind instrument.c. Slang. musical ability on any instrument, esp. in playing jazz or rock; technical virtuosity.d. Slang. the music or musical part played by an instrumentalist, esp. a solo passage.3. an entranceway, as into a body of water.4. Horol. either of two pieces clasping the end of the suspension spring of a pendulum.5. bust one's chops, Slang. to exert oneself.6. bust someone's chops, Slang. to annoy with nagging or criticism: Stop busting my chops - I'll get the job done.7. lick one's chops, to await with pleasure; anticipate; relish: He was already licking his chops over the expected inheritance.Also, chap.[1350-1400; ME; perh. special use of CHOP1]chop4/chop/, n.1. an official stamp or seal, or a permit or clearance, esp. as formerly used in India and China.2. a design, corresponding to a brand or trademark, stamped on goods to indicate their identity or quality.3. the signature stamp of an artist, printmaker, etc., testifying to the authenticity of a work.4. quality, class, or grade: a musician of the first chop.[1605-15; < Hindi chap impression, stamp]
* * *
Universalium. 2010.