clipt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareArchaic, Literary, Historical
Quick answer
What does “clipt” mean?
A historical and largely obsolete past tense and past participle form of the verb 'clip' (meaning to cut or trim).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical and largely obsolete past tense and past participle form of the verb 'clip' (meaning to cut or trim).
Used in historical or poetic contexts to refer to something that was cut, sheared, or trimmed. Can also mean 'embraced' in the very rare, archaic sense of 'clip' (to embrace).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern regional difference, as the form is obsolete in both. Found with equal rarity in historical texts from both regions.
Connotations
Suggests antiquity, formality, or a poetic/literary style. Using it in modern contexts would be an intentional archaism.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “clipt” in a Sentence
[Subject] clipt [Object] (e.g., She clipt the coupon).[Object] was clipt (e.g., The hedge was clipt).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clipt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gardener clipt the topiary into the shape of a lion.
- She carefully clipt the article from the Edwardian newspaper.
American English
- The barber clipt his beard close for the summer.
- They clipt the sheep's wool before the heat set in.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or textual analysis of early modern English.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern technical writing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clipt”
- Using 'clipt' in modern writing instead of 'clipped'.
- Pronouncing it with a distinct /t/ sound as if it were a separate word; it flows as one syllable.
- Misspelling as 'clip't' with an apostrophe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'clipt' is an archaic past tense and past participle of 'clip'. The modern form is 'clipped'.
You would only encounter it in texts from the 17th-19th centuries, in poetry, or in historical novels aiming for period authenticity.
Yes, very rarely it could be the archaic past tense of the verb 'to clip' meaning 'to embrace' (e.g., 'He clipt her to his chest'), but this is exceedingly uncommon.
No, unless you are deliberately creating an archaic or poetic effect. For all practical purposes, use 'clipped'.
A historical and largely obsolete past tense and past participle form of the verb 'clip' (meaning to cut or trim).
Clipt is usually archaic, literary, historical in register.
Clipt: in British English it is pronounced /klɪpt/, and in American English it is pronounced /klɪpt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have one's wings clipt (to be restrained or prevented from acting freely).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an old, 'T'-shaped CLIP-per that was used long ago; the 'T' in 'clipt' reminds you it's from the pasT.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESTRAINT IS CLIPPING (as in 'clipt wings' metaphorically preventing freedom).
Practice
Quiz
The word 'clipt' is best described as: