—n.
1 a small piece removed by or in the course of chopping, cutting, or breaking, esp. from hard material such as wood or stone.
2 the place where such a chip has been made.
3 a (usu. in pl.) a strip of potato, deep fried. b (in pl.) US potato crisps.
4 a counter used in some gambling games to represent money.
5 Electronics = MICROCHIP.
6 a a thin strip of wood, straw, etc., used for weaving hats, baskets, etc. b a basket made from these.
7 Football etc. & Golf a short shot, kick, or pass with the ball describing an arc.
—v. (chipped, chipping)
1 tr. (often foll. by off, away) cut or break (a piece) from a hard material.
2 intr. (often foll. by at, away at) cut pieces off (a hard material) to alter its shape, break it up, etc.
3 intr. (of stone, china, etc.) be susceptible to being chipped; be apt to break at the edge (will chip easily).
4 tr. (also absol.) Football etc. & Golf strike or kick (the ball) with a chip (cf. sense 7 of n.).
5 tr. (usu. as chipped adj.) cut (potatoes) into chips.
Phrases and idioms:
chip heater Austral. & NZ a domestic water-heater that burns wood chips. chip in colloq.
1 interrupt or contribute abruptly to a conversation (chipped in with a reminiscence).
2 contribute (money or resources). a chip off the old block a child who resembles a parent, esp. in character. a chip on one's shoulder colloq. a disposition or inclination to feel resentful or aggrieved. chip shot = sense 7 of n. have had one's chips Brit. colloq. be unable to avoid defeat, punishment, etc. when the chips are down colloq. when it comes to the point.
Etymology: ME f. OF cipp, cyp beam
Useful english dictionary. 2012.