Chop v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chopped p. pr. & vb. n. Chopping.]
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·ping a. Stout or plump; large. [Obs.]
Chop·ping, a. Shifting or changing suddenly, as the wind; also, having tumbling waves dashing against each other; as, a chopping sea.
Chop·ping, n. Act of cutting by strokes.
Chopping block, a solid block of wood on which butchers and others chop meat, etc.
Chopping knife, a knife for chopping or mincing meat, vegetables, etc.; -- usually with a handle at the back of the blade instead of at the end.
◄ ►
chop
n 1: a small cut of meat including part of a rib
2: a tennis return made with a downward motion that puts
backspin on the ball [syn: chop shot]
3: a grounder that bounces high in the air [syn: chopper]
v 1: cut into pieces; "Chop wood"; "chop meat" [syn: chop up]
2: move suddenly
3: strike sharply, as in some sports
4: cut with a hacking tool [syn: hack]
5: hit sharply
[also: chopping, chopped]