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chop

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Chop means to cut with one stroke of an ax or several quick strokes with a knife.

(verb)

An example of chop is dicing garlic with a kitchen knife.

The definition of a chop is an individual portion of meat cut from the rib or shoulder of an animal, or an official seal or stamp.

(noun)

An example of a chop is a piece of lamb with the rib bone attached.
An example of a chop is the wooden stamp used in China as a signature stamp.

See chop in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb chopped, chopping

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

Origin: 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

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

noun

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

noun

a jaw
a cheek

Origin: var. of chap

intransitive verb chopped, chopping

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

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

noun

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

Origin: Hindi chāp

See chop in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb chopped chopped, chop·ping, chops

verb, transitive

a. To cut by striking with a heavy sharp tool, such as an ax: chop wood.
b. To shape or form by chopping: chop a hole in the ice.
c. To cut into small pieces: chop onions; chop up meat.
d. To curtail as if by chopping: chopped off his sentence midway; are going to chop expenses.
Sports To hit or hit at with a short swift downward stroke.

verb, intransitive

To make heavy, cutting strokes.
Archaic To move roughly or suddenly.

noun

The act of chopping.
a. A swift, short, cutting blow or stroke.
b. Sports A short downward stroke.
A piece that has been chopped off, especially a cut of meat, usually taken from the rib, shoulder, or loin and containing a bone.
a. A short irregular motion of waves.
b. An area of choppy water, as on an ocean.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English choppen

Origin: , probably variant of chappen, to split; see chap¹

intransitive verb chopped chopped, chop·ping, chops

To change direction suddenly, as a ship in the wind.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete, to exchange

Origin: , from Middle English choppen, to barter, bargain

Origin: , variant of chapen

Origin: , from Old English cēapian

Origin: , from cēap, bargain, trade; see cheap

noun