tipple

¹

[ tip-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, tip·pled, tip·pling.

1. to drink intoxicating liquor, especially habitually or to some excess.

verb (used with object)

, tip·pled, tip·pling.

1. to drink (intoxicating liquor), especially repeatedly, in small quantities.

noun

1. intoxicating liquor.

tipple

²

[ tip-uhl ]

noun

1. a device that tilts or overturns a freight car to dump its contents.
2. a place where loaded cars are emptied by tipping.
3. Mining. a structure where coal is cleaned and loaded in railroad cars or trucks.

tipple

¹

/ ˈtɪpəl /

noun

1. a device for overturning ore trucks, mine cars, etc, so that they discharge their load
2. a place at which such trucks are tipped and unloaded

verb

1. dialect.
   to fall or cause to fall

tipple

²

/ ˈtɪpəl /

verb

1. to make a habit of taking (alcoholic drink), esp in small quantities

noun

1. alcoholic drink

Derived Forms

• ˈtippler, noun

Other Words From

• un·tippled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipple¹

1490–1500; back formation from Middle English tipeler tapster, equivalent to tipel- tap ² (cognate with Dutch tepel teat) + -er -er ¹; tipsy

Origin of tipple²

1875–80, Americanism; noun use of dial. tipple to tumble, frequentative of tip ²; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of tipple¹

C19: from tipple to overturn, from tip ²

Origin of tipple²

C15: back formation from obsolete tippler tapster, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

To paraphrase F. Scott Fitzgerald, I guess the rich drink different from you and me — and Sacramento is helping them tipple it up.

From Los Angeles Times

Between “Downton” and Professor McGonagall an adoring public saw in Smith an endlessly entertaining, tippling grandmother and that endearing teacher who balanced strictness with caring.

From Salon

They produce small amounts of a high quality product which is well worth making your summer tipple, not only for its delightful taste, but also for its positive social and environmental impact.

From Salon

The results suggest blueberry wine maintains some of the fruit's nutrients and the team identifies ways to optimize components in this superfood tipple.

From Science Daily

For racegoers, there has been the chance to sit outside and enjoy a tipple.

From BBC