Tipping

tip ¹  (tp)

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.

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[Middle English.]

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tip ²  (tp)

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 sideview mirror slightly downward; a weight that tipped the balance.

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.

2. To become tilted; slant. See Synonyms at slant.

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 or refuse, as from a mine.

Idioms:

tip (one's) hand

To reveal one's resources or intentions.

tip the scales

1. To register weight (at a certain amount).

2. To offset the balance of a situation.

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[Middle English tipen.]

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tip ³  (tp)

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 U.S. To tiptoe.

n.

1. A light blow; a tap.

2. Baseball A pitched ball that is tipped: a foul tip.

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[From Middle English tippe, a tap, perhaps of Low German origin.]