whip
/ˈwɪp/
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.01 in modern English
Meaning
noun
A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals.
noun
A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals.
noun
A blow administered with a whip.
noun
A whipper-in.
noun
A document distributed weekly to MPs by party whips informing them of upcoming votes in parliament.
British usage
noun
The regular status of an MP within a parliamentary party, which can be revoked by the party as a disciplinary measure.
British usage
noun
Example Sentences
- "I had to use the whip to get the sheep's attention."
- "Once he ran out of appeals, he knew he would soon feel the sting of the whip."
- "I had hardly said the word, when Kit jumped into the saddle, and gave his horse a whip and a spur — and off it cantered, as if it were in as great a hurry to be married as Kit himself."
- "At half-past ten, Tom Moody, Sir Huddlestone Fuddlestone's huntsman, was seen trotting up the avenue, followed by the noble pack of hounds in a compact body—the rear being brought up by the two whips clad in stained scarlet frocks—light hard-featured lads on well-bred lean horses, possessing marvellous dexterity in casting the points of their long heavy whips at the thinnest part of any dog's skin who dares to straggle from the main body […]"
- "From the far side of the wood came the long shrill screech […] which signifies that one of the whips has viewed the fox quitting the covert."
- "I was going to vote against the bill, but the party whip came to see me and made it clear I needed to vote for it."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
Usage
- British usage
- Transitive verb
- Slang
- Intransitive verb