hairsplitter
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryEnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryExamples
Verb
- //Use a ladle to dip some water out of the pot.
- //dipping water from a well
- //The sun dipped below the horizon.
- //The road dips over the hill.
- //I saw his head dip below the surface of the water.
Noun (1)
- //how did that dip get through medical school?
Noun (2)
- //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into view
- //the city's population has taken a slight dip since the last census
First Known Use
Verb
before 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1aNoun (1)
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1Noun (2)
circa 1932, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and Etymology
Verb
Middle English dippen, from Old English dyppan; akin to Old High German tupfen to wash, Lithuanian dubus deepNoun (2)
back-formation from dippydip
noun (1)
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)
- a downward slope //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into viewSynonymsExamplesVerb
- //Use a ladle to dip some water out of the pot.
- //dipping water from a well
- //The sun dipped below the horizon.
- //The road dips over the hill.
- //I saw his head dip below the surface of the water.
Noun (1)- //how did that dip get through medical school?
Noun (2)- //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into view
- //the city's population has taken a slight dip since the last census
First Known UseVerbbefore 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1aNoun (1)1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1Noun (2)circa 1932, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and EtymologyVerbMiddle English dippen, from Old English dyppan; akin to Old High German tupfen to wash, Lithuanian dubus deepNoun (2)back-formation from dippydipnoun (1)Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)
- a downward slope //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into viewSynonymsExamplesVerb
- //Use a ladle to dip some water out of the pot.
- //dipping water from a well
- //The sun dipped below the horizon.
- //The road dips over the hill.
- //I saw his head dip below the surface of the water.
Noun (1)- //how did that dip get through medical school?
Noun (2)- //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into view
- //the city's population has taken a slight dip since the last census
First Known UseVerbbefore 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1aNoun (1)1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1Noun (2)circa 1932, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and EtymologyVerbMiddle English dippen, from Old English dyppan; akin to Old High German tupfen to wash, Lithuanian dubus deepNoun (2)back-formation from dippydipnoun (1)Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 3)
- a downward slope //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into viewSynonymsExamplesVerb
- //Use a ladle to dip some water out of the pot.
- //dipping water from a well
- //The sun dipped below the horizon.
- //The road dips over the hill.
- //I saw his head dip below the surface of the water.
Noun (1)- //how did that dip get through medical school?
Noun (2)- //marathoners have one last dip before the race course levels off and the finish line comes into view
- //the city's population has taken a slight dip since the last census
First Known UseVerbbefore 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1aNoun (1)1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1Noun (2)circa 1932, in the meaning defined aboveHistory and EtymologyVerbMiddle English dippen, from Old English dyppan; akin to Old High German tupfen to wash, Lithuanian dubus deepNoun (2)back-formation from dippy