dip
UK[dɪp]US[dɪp]
v
To put something into a liquid for a short time.
v
To go downwards or to a lower level.
n
A quick swim.
n
A thick sauce for eating with pieces of food.
Etymology
The word 'dip' descends directly from the Old English verb dyppan, meaning "to immerse." This Old English term is believed to have originated from a Proto-Germanic root, which also gave rise to words like the German taufen (to baptize). The core concept of "plunging briefly into a liquid" has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient origins to its modern usage. Over time, this literal sense expanded metaphorically to describe any brief downward movement, such as a road dipping into a valley, and by extension, to the noun forms like a quick swim or a savory sauce for dipping food.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old English origin. The core form is the verb dyppan, meaning "to immerse, to baptize." It functions as a single, indivisible lexical unit.
Examples
She dipped her brush into the paint.
The road dips sharply after the next bend.
We served vegetable crudités with a creamy garlic dip.