chop

I. verb (chopped; chopping) Etymology: Middle English chappen, choppen — more at chap Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. 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 stroke 3. to subject to the action of a chopper <

chop a beam of light

> intransitive verb 1. to make a quick stroke or repeated strokes with or as if with a sharp instrument (as an ax) 2. archaic to move or act suddenly or violently II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a forceful usually slanting blow with or as if with an ax or cleaver b. a sharp downward blow or stroke 2. a small cut of meat often including part of a rib — see lamb illustration 3. a mark made by or as if by chopping 4. material that has been chopped up 5. a. a short abrupt motion (as of a wave) b. a stretch of choppy sea 6. chopper 6 7. chiefly British ax 3 <

it is the very top men who have got the chop — Daily Mirror

> III. intransitive verb (chopped; chopping) Etymology: Middle English chappen, choppen to barter Date: 1540 1. to change direction 2. to veer with or as if with wind IV. noun Etymology: Hindi chāp & Urdu chhāp stamp Date: 1614 1. a. a seal or official stamp or its impression b. a license validated by a seal 2. a. a mark on goods or coins to indicate nature or quality b. a kind, brand, or lot of goods bearing the same chop c. quality, grade <

of the first chop

>