zipper (redirected from zippers)

zip·per  (zpr)

n.

A fastening device consisting of parallel rows of metal, plastic, or nylon teeth on adjacent edges of an opening that are interlocked by a sliding tab.

tr. & intr.v. zip·pered, zip·per·ing, zip·pers

To fasten or unfasten or become fastened or unfastened with a zipper; zip.

---

[Originally a trademark.]

Word History: Trademark laws exist to prevent the appropriation of words like zipper. Registered in 1925, zipper was originally a B.F. Goodrich trademark for overshoes with fasteners. A Goodrich executive is said to have slid the fastener up and down on the boot and exclaimed, "Zip 'er up," echoing the sound made by this clever device. Zip already existed as both a noun and verb referring to a light sharp sound or to motion accompanied by that kind of sound (zip was first recorded as a noun in 1875; as a verb, in 1852). Both words were imitations of the sound made by a rapidly moving object. As the fastener that "zipped" came to be used in other articles, its name was used as well. B.F. Goodrich sued to protect its trademark but was allowed to retain proprietary rights only over Zipper Boots. Zipper itself had moved into the world of common nouns.

---

zipper

Noun

US & Canad same as zip (sense 1)

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	zipper - a fastener for locking together two toothed edges by means of a sliding tab slide fastener, zip fastener, zip cardigan - knitted jacket that is fastened up the front with buttons or a zipper dress, frock - a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice fastening, holdfast, fastener, fixing - restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place skirt - a garment hanging from the waist; worn mainly by girls and women trouser, pant - (usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately; "he had a sharp crease in his trousers"
Verb	1.	zipper - close with a zipper; "Zip up your jacket--it's cold" zip, zip up fasten, fix, secure - cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man"