clip English · revision 6725

+ English has two words spelled clip: to fasten or hold, originally to embrace, and to cut.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /klɪp/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ {{homograph|1|fasten, hold}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *kluppjaną}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The fastening clip is Middle English clippen, [[inh|ang|clyppan|t=to embrace, clasp, surround]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[gem-pro|*kluppjaną]], cognate with [[ofs|kleppa|t=to embrace]];^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) compare Lithuanian [[m|lt|glėbys|t=armful]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To encircle or embrace: about 725 in Barnhart, about 825 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Embracing is now archaic or dialectal;^(OED 1989)^(Wright 1898) to fasten or bind is from the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) and to fasten with clips from 1902.^(Etymonline) The noun, a device that clips objects, is from 1354, a hook for holding pots,^(Barnhart 1988) and is the source of the [[paper clip]] (1854).^(Etymonline) A holder of cartridges for a gun is from 1901, and a piece of jewellery fastened by a clip from 1937.^(Etymonline) [[clipboard|alt=Clipboard]] is from 1907.^(Barnhart 1988) The American football penalty [[clipping]] preserves the old sense of embracing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – to embrace.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 14th century – to fasten.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1354 – a hook, a clasp.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1854 – paper clip.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1901 – a cartridge clip.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A device for holding things together or in place, such as a [[paper clip]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A piece of jewellery fastened with a clip.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A holder for [[cartridge|alt=cartridges]] loaded into a gun.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To fasten with a clip.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' To embrace or hug.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clipboard]]

+ * [[paper clip]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|cut}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=non klippa}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The cutting clip is Middle English clippen, [[bor|non|klippa|t=to clip, pinch]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) probably imitative of the sound.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To cut or shear: probably about 1200, in the ''Ormulum''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To clip coins, shaving metal from their edges, is from about 1400.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) To shorten words in speaking is from the 1520s,^(Etymonline) and ''to clip someone's wings'', to check ambition, from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) The verb's long association with swindling led to the ''clip joint'', a place that overcharges (1933, from American Prohibition slang).^(Etymonline) To move rapidly is from the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986) The noun meant shears (1465),^(Barnhart 1988) and a [[clipping]], something cut off, is from 1324–25;^(Barnhart 1988) a short extract from a film is a clip.^(SOED 2002)^(AHD) A sharp blow, as in ''a clip round the ear'', and a speed, as in ''a fast clip'', are informal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to cut.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – to clip coins.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1520s – to clip words.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – to clip someone's wings.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1933 – clip joint.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cut or trim with [[scissors]] or [[shears]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To cut short; to [[curtail]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To pronounce words in a short, precise way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' To hit sharply.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A short extract from a film or broadcast.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A sharp blow.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A rapid pace: ''at a good clip''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clipper]]

+ * [[clippers]]

+ * [[clipping]]

+ * [[clip joint]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[globe]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}