clipped

Everyday

1. Clipped is the past form of «clip»: cut something short or neat with scissors or clippers (clipped the hedge, clipped his nails). tree →
2. Clipped also means fastened with a clip (clipped the papers together). tree →
3. Clipped means hit something lightly or quickly on the edge. tree →
4. A clipped voice or way of speaking is short, quick and rather unfriendly. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life hair, nails, hedges and coupons are clipped; papers and badges are clipped on. In stories, a clipped answer shows a character is cross or in a hurry; a car that clipped a kerb just touched it. Phrases: clipped on, clipped together, clipped hedge, a clipped voice, clipped wings.

Examples

• Dad clipped the hedge in the front garden. tree →
• The vet clipped the dog's nails. tree →
• She clipped her name badge onto her jumper. tree →
• The papers were clipped together. tree →
• The ball clipped the top of the bar and went over. tree →
• «Fine,» she said in a clipped voice. tree →
• The bird's wings had been clipped so it could not fly away. tree →
• Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. tree →

Note

Past of «clip»: double the p before -ed and -ing (clipped, clipping). Pronounced with one syllable: KLIPT. «Clip someone's wings» means to limit their freedom.

In Jewish tradition

Beards were clipped as a sign of deep mourning, along with shaved heads and sackcloth.

Interpretation. Jewish law forbids shaving the corners of the beard as a pagan mourning custom, and the prophet shows the grief of Moab.

Examples

• For every head is bald, and every beard clipped; upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. (Prophets JER.48.37, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past of «clip»: double the p before -ed and -ing (clipped, clipping). Pronounced with one syllable: KLIPT. «Clip someone's wings» means to limit their freedom.