paper clip

¹

noun

1. a flat wire or plastic clip shaped so that it can hold sheets of paper between two of its loops.
2. a spring clamp for holding papers.

paper-clip

²

[ pey-per-klip ]

verb (used with object)

, pa·per-clipped, pa·per-clip·ping.

1. to fasten together with one or more paper clips:

   Paper-clip these letters and file them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper clip¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of paper clip²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

I hiss, then take a second to settle myself and carefully slide another paper clip into the lock.

From Literature

I get my second paper clip, the lock pick, as Dad would say, and stick it into the keyhole above the tension-wrench paper clip.

From Literature

I pull the lock-pick paper clip back a little, push it forward again.

From Literature

With the third paper clip, the lock clicks.

From Literature

When I tried to climb into the paper clip box, she stopped me with her finger.

From Literature