wipe Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of rubbing or wiping
    rub.
    • he gave the hood a quick rub
  2. verb rub with a circular motion
    pass over.
    • wipe the blackboard
    • He passed his hands over the soft cloth

WordNet

Wipe noun
Etymology
Cf. Sw. vipa, Dan. vibe, the lapwing.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The lapwing. Prov. Eng.
Wipe transitive verb
Etymology
OE. vipen, AS. wipian; cf. LG. wiep a wisp of straw, Sw. vepa to wrap up, to cuddle one's self up, vepa a blanket; perhaps akin to E. whip.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wiped ; present participle & verbal noun Wiping
Definitions
  1. To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean or dry by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel.
    Let me wipe thy face. Shak.
    I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. 2 Kings xxi. 13.
  2. To remove by rubbing; to rub off; to obliterate; -- usually followed by away, off or out. Also used figuratively. "To wipe out our ingratitude." Shak.
    Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon. Milton.
  3. To cheat; to defraud; to trick; -- usually followed by out. Obs. Spenser.
    If they by coveyne [covin] or gile be wiped beside their goods. Robynson (More's Utopia)
Wipe noun
Definitions
  1. Act of rubbing, esp. in order to clean.
  2. A blow; a stroke; a hit; a swipe. Low
  3. A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm. Swift.
  4. A handkerchief. Thieves' Cant or Slang
  5. Stain; brand. Obs. "Slavish wipe." Shak.

Webster 1913