chop Hear it!

chop¹ Definition

chop (c̸häp)

transitive verb chopped, chop′·ping

  1. to cut or make by blows with an ax or other sharp tool to chop down a tree; to chop a hole
  2. to cut into small bits; mince to chop onions
  3. to say in a jerky or abrupt way
  4. to hit with a short, sharp downward stroke

Etymology: ME choppen, prob. < northern OFr choper, for OFr coper, to cut off (< VL *cuppare, to decapitate < *cuppum, skull < LL cuppa, cup); infl. by couper, to strike (< coup, colp, a blow: see coup)

intransitive verb

  1. to make quick, cutting strokes with a sharp tool
  2. to do something with a quick, sharp, or jerky motion

noun

  1. the act of chopping
  2. a short, sharp downward blow or stroke
  3. a piece chopped off
  4. a slice of lamb, pork, etc. cut, along with a piece of bone, from the rib, loin, or shoulder
  5. a short, broken movement of waves

chop² Definition

chop (c̸häp)

noun

  1. a jaw
  2. a cheek

Etymology: var. of chap

chop³ Definition

chop (c̸häp)

intransitive verb chopped, chop′·ping

to shift or veer suddenly, as the wind; change direction

Etymology: LME choppen, var. of chappen, to barter < OE ceapian, to bargain: see cheap

chop³ Idioms

chop logic

to argue, esp. in a hairsplitting way

chop4 Definition

chop (c̸häp)

noun

  1. an official seal, stamp, permit, or license, as orig. in India and China
  2. a brand, or trademark
  3. Informal quality; grade; brand a writer of the first chop

Etymology: Hindi chāp

chop Synonyms

chop

v.

  1. To cut with an ax

    fell, hack, hew, whack; see cut 1.

  2. To cut into small bits

    mince, dice, cube, cut up; see chip, cut 1.

chop Usage Examples

Object

  • parsley: In the same way, the poems suggest that writing them is just a part of his life, like chopping parsley.
  • tbsp: Mix in 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried; fill each tin with 1/2 teaspoon goat cheese, sprinkle with mushrooms.
  • onion: Finish chopping the onion, with a blunt knife.
  • clove: Garlic is also very effective, one third of a chopped clove should be added to food daily.
  • coriander: Just before these are going to served we add a lot of finely chopped fresh coriander.
  • tomato: Chop the 2nd tomato into bite size pieces at slow speed stirring with the tamper.

Adjective modifier

  • grilled: On a nearby grilled lamb chops cruises of special interest.
  • lean: Pursel was willing to see fragments of DNA -- and even lean pork chops -- but did not care to see the pig.

Preposition: into

chunk: Peel and chop into chunks the onion, carrots and celery.

Adjective complement

25g: Mash 1 small banana and roughly chop 25g ( 1oz ) ready-to-eat apricots.

Modifying Another Word

  • finely: For an appealing spicy flavor, add finely chopped stem ginger.
  • coarsely: Coarsely chop the tomatoes, into maybe ten or twelve chunks each.
  • roughly: Blend briefly until pine nuts and basil are roughly chopped but not too runny!
  • freshly: Serve with: For a super-quick raita, stir freshly chopped mint into natural yogurt, or stir in a teaspoon of mint sauce.

Noun used with modifier

  • pork: Pink pork chops on a bed of shredded nettles.
  • loin: When hot and sizzling add pork loin chops, season with salt and ground white pepper.
  • lamb: On a nearby grilled lamb chops cruises of special interest.

Particle object:

tree: Hundreds of Haitians cross the border every day to chop down trees for firewood.

Particle object:

onion: While the oil heats, chop up the onion pretty finely.

Followed by an intransitive particle

off: For every branch you chop off, two grow back in its place.