lop

¹

[ lop ]

verb (used with object)

, lopped, lop·ping.

1. to cut off (branches, twigs, etc.) from a tree or other plant.
2. to cut off (a limb, part, or the like) from a person, animal, etc.
3. to cut off the branches, twigs, etc., of (a tree or other plant).
4. to eliminate as unnecessary or excessive:

   We had to lop off whole pages of the report before presenting it to the committee.

5. Archaic. to cut off the head, limbs, etc., of (a person).

verb (used without object)

, lopped, lop·ping.

1. to cut off branches, twigs, etc., as of a tree.
2. to remove parts by or as by cutting.

noun

1. parts or a part lopped off.
2. (of trees) the smaller branches and twigs not useful as timber.

lop

²

[ lop ]

verb (used without object)

, lopped, lop·ping.

1. to hang loosely or limply; droop.
2. to sway, move, or go in a drooping or heavy, awkward way.
3. to move in short, quick leaps:

   a rabbit lopping through the garden.

verb (used with object)

, lopped, lop·ping.

1. to let hang or droop:

   He lopped his arms at his sides in utter exhaustion.

adjective

1. hanging down limply or droopingly:

   lop ears.

LOP

³

abbreviation for

, Navigation.

1. line of position.

lop

¹

/ lɒp /

verb

1. to sever (parts) from a tree, body, etc, esp with swift strokes
2. to cut out or eliminate from as excessive

noun

1. a part or parts lopped off, as from a tree

lop

²

/ lɒp /

noun

1. dialect.
   a flea

lop

³

/ lɒp /

verb

1. to hang or allow to hang loosely
2. intr to slouch about or move awkwardly
3. intr a less common word for lope

Derived Forms

• ˈlopper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lop¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English loppe “cut off twigs or branches”; further origin uncertain; perhaps akin to Old English loppe “spider”; lop ², lobster

Origin of lop²

First recorded in 1570–80; verb use of obsolete noun lop “spider” or lop “drooping part of a tree,” that is, “to behave like a lop, to dangle, hang loosely”; lop ¹, lob ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lop¹

C15 loppe branches cut off; compare lob ¹

Origin of lop²

probably from Old Norse hloppa (unattested) flea, from hlaupa to leap

Origin of lop³

C16: perhaps related to lop ¹; compare lob ¹

Example Sentences

“Hood” — the name of a British admiral at a time American relations with that empire were less than amicable — could also be lopped off for a new title and name.

From Seattle Times

The Lakers are that rare family operation that continually lops off the head of the family for the sake of one of the whining kids.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the weekend, though, Tesla lopped $2,000 off the price of the Models Y, S and X in the U.S. and reportedly made cuts in other countries including China.

From Seattle Times

Ford, for instance, cut production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, and lopped up to $8,100 off the price of the Mustang Mach E electric SUV in order to sell 2023 models.

From Seattle Times

She and the Creature eventually conspire to lop off that grabby assailant’s hand to replace a decaying limb.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shear