Etymology
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chipper (adj.)

1834, "lively, nimble, active, brisk," American English, from northern British dialectal kipper "nimble, frisky," the origin of which is obscure.

chipper (n.)

"one who or that which chips or makes into chips," 1510s, agent noun from chip (v.).

Entries linking to chipper

chip (v.)

early 15c., "to break off in small pieces" (intransitive, of stone); from Old English forcippian "to pare away by cutting, cut off," verbal form of cipp "small piece of wood" (see chip (n.1)).

Transitive meaning "to cut up, cut or trim into small pieces, diminish by cutting away a little at a time" is from late 15c. Sense of "break off fragments" is 18c. Related: Chipped; chipping. To chip in "contribute" (1861) is American English, perhaps from card-playing; but compare chop in "interrupt by remarking" (1540s). Chipped beef attested from 1826.

updated on November 13, 2017

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Dictionary entries near chipper

chiono-

chip

chipmunk

chipotle

Chippendale

chipper

Chippewa

chippy

chiral

chirarism

chiro-

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper