transitive verb chopped, chopping 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