tip 1
(tĭp)n.1. The end of a pointed or projecting object.
2. A piece or an attachment, such as a cap or ferrule, meant to be fitted to the end of something else: the barbed tip of a harpoon.
tr.v. tipped,
tip·ping,
tips 1. To furnish with a tip.
2. To cover or decorate the tip of: tip strawberries with chocolate.
3. To remove the tip of: tip artichokes.
4. To dye the ends of (hair or fur) in order to blend or improve appearance.
Phrasal Verb: tip in Printing To attach (an insert) in a book by gluing along the binding edge: tip in a color plate.
Idiom: tip of the iceberg A small evident part or aspect of something largely hidden.
[Middle English.]
tip 2
(tĭp)v. tipped, tip·ping, tips
v.tr.1. To push or knock over; overturn or topple: bumped the table and tipped a vase.
2. To move to a slanting position; tilt:
tipped the rearview mirror slightly downward; a weight that tipped the balance. See Synonyms at
slant.
3. To touch or raise (one's hat) in greeting.
4. Chiefly British a. To empty (something) by overturning; dump.
b. To dump (rubbish, for example).
v.intr.1. To topple over; overturn: The trash can tipped over in the wind.
2. To be tilted; slant: The cabinet tipped toward the wall.
n.1. The act of tipping.
2. A tilt or slant; an incline.
3. Chiefly British An area or a place for dumping something, such as rubbish.
Idioms: tip (one's) hand To reveal one's resources or intentions.
tip the scales1. To register weight (at a certain amount).
2. To offset the balance of a situation.
[Middle English tippen.]
tip 3
(tĭp)v. tipped, tip·ping, tips
v.tr.1. To strike gently; tap.
2. a. Baseball To hit (a pitched ball) with the side of the bat so that it glances off.
b. Sports To tap or deflect (a ball or puck, for example), especially in scoring.
v.intr.1. Sports To deflect or glance off. Used of a ball or puck.
2. Lower Southern US To tiptoe.
n.1. A light blow; a tap.
2. Baseball A pitched ball that is tipped: a foul tip.
[From Middle English tippe, a tap, perhaps of Low German origin.]
tip 4
(tĭp)n.1. A small sum of money given to someone for performing a service; a gratuity.
2. a. A piece of confidential, advance, or inside information: got a tip on the next race.
b. A helpful hint: a column of tips on gardening.
v. tipped, tip·ping, tips
v.tr.1. a. To give a tip to: tipped the waiter generously.
b. To give as a tip: He tipped a dollar and felt that it was enough.
2. To provide with a piece of confidential, advance, or inside information: a disgruntled gang member who tipped the police to the planned robbery.
v.intr. To give tips or a tip: one who tips lavishly.
Phrasal Verb: tip out1. To distribute a portion of one's tips to (a co-worker): The servers tip out everyone who buses the tables.
2. To distribute (a portion of one's tips) to co-workers.
[Origin unknown.]
tip′per n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.