v.
(dips, dipping, dipped)
-
(dip something in/into)
put or let something down quickly or briefly in or into (liquid).
▸make (a candle) by immersing a wick repeatedly in hot wax.
- sink, drop, or slope downwards.
▸(of a level or amount) temporarily become lower or smaller.
▸lower or move downwards.
▸Brit. lower the beam of (a vehicle's headlights).
-
(dip into)
put a hand or implement into (a bag or container) in order to take something out.
▸spend from or make use of (one's financial resources).
-
(dip out)
Austral./NZ informal fail.
n.
- an act of dipping, especially a brief swim.
- a thick sauce in which pieces of food are dipped before eating.
- a brief downward slope followed by an upward one.
▸an instance of dropping briefly before rising again.
- the angle made with the horizontal at any point by the earth's magnetic field.
▸Geology the angle a stratum makes with the horizontal.
▸Astronomy & Surveying the apparent depression of the horizon from the line of observation, due to the curvature of the earth.
- N. Amer. informal a stupid or foolish person.
Phrase
- dip one's toe into
(or in)
begin to do (something) cautiously.
Etymology
OE dyppan, of Gmc origin; rel. to deep.