chop Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)
    • the boat headed into the chop
  2. noun a small cut of meat including part of a rib
  3. noun a jaw
    • I'll hit him on the chops
  4. noun a tennis return made with a downward motion that puts backspin on the ball
    chop shot.
  5. noun a grounder that bounces high in the air
    chopper.
  6. verb cut into pieces
    chop up.
    • Chop wood
    • chop meat
  7. verb move suddenly
  8. verb form or shape by chopping
    • chop a hole in the ground
  9. verb strike sharply, as in some sports
  10. verb cut with a hacking tool
    hack.
  11. verb hit sharply

WordNet

Chop transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. LG. & D. kappen, Dan. kappe, Sw. kappa. Cf. Chap to crack.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Chopped ; present participle & verbal noun Chopping
Definitions
  1. To cut by striking repeatedly with a sharp instrument; to cut into pieces; to mince; -- often with up.
  2. To sever or separate by one more blows of a sharp instrument; to divide; -- usually with off or down.
    Chop off your hand, and it to the king. Shak.
  3. To seize or devour greedily; -- with up. Obs.
    Upon the opening of his mouth he drops his breakfast, which the fox presently chopped up. L'estrange.
Chop intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a quick strike, or repeated strokes, with an ax or other sharp instrument.
  2. To do something suddenly with an unexpected motion; to catch or attempt to seize.
    Out of greediness to get both, he chops at the shadow, and loses the substance. L'Estrange.
  3. To interrupt; -- with in or out.
    This fellow interrupted the sermon, even suddenly chopping in. Latimer.
Chop transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. D. koopen to buy. See Cheapen, v. t., and cf. Chap, v. i., to buy.
Definitions
  1. To barter or truck.
  2. To exchange; substitute one thing for another.
    We go on chopping and changing our friends. L'Estrange.
Chop intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To purchase by way of truck.
  2. (Naut.) To vary or shift suddenly; as, the wind chops about.
  3. To wrangle; to altercate; to bandy words.
    Let not the counsel at the bar chop with the judge. Bacon.
Chop noun
Definitions
  1. A change; a vicissitude. Marryat.
Chop transitive verb & intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To crack. See Chap, v. t. & v. i.
Chop noun
Definitions
  1. The act of chopping; a stroke.
  2. A piece chopped off; a slice or small piece, especially of meat; as, a mutton chop.
  3. A crack or cleft. See Chap.
Chop noun
Etymology
See Chap.
Definitions
  1. A jaw of an animal; -- commonly in the pl. See Chops.
  2. A movable jaw or cheek, as of a wooden vise.
  3. The land at each side of the mouth of a river, harbor, or channel; as, East Chop or West Chop. See Chops.
Chop noun
Etymology
Chin. & Hind. chap stamp, brand.
Definitions
  1. Quality; brand; as, silk of the first chop.
  2. A permit or clearance. S. W. Williams.

Webster 1913