¦ verb (dips, dipping, dipped)
1. (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.
2. 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).
3. (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).
4. (dip out) Austral./NZ informal fail.
¦ noun
1. an act of dipping, especially a brief swim.
2. a thick sauce in which pieces of food are dipped before eating.
3. a brief downward slope followed by an upward one.
an instance of dropping briefly before rising again.
4. 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.
5. N. Amer. informal a stupid or foolish person.
Phrases
dip one's toe into (or in) begin to do (something) cautiously.
Origin
OE
dyppan, of Gmc origin; related to
deep.