pipe
UK[paɪp]US[paɪp]
n
A tube through which a fluid or gas can flow.
n
A tube with a small bowl at one end, used for smoking tobacco.
n
A wind instrument consisting of a single tube with holes along it.
v
To convey (water, gas, oil, etc.) through pipes.
v
To transmit (music, a signal, etc.) by wire or cable.
Etymology
The word 'pipe' originates from the Old English 'pīpe', which referred to a musical pipe or a tube. This term was borrowed from the Vulgar Latin 'pīpa', itself derived from Latin 'pipare', a verb meaning 'to chirp' or 'to peep', likely of imitative origin, mimicking the sound of a bird. The semantic journey connects the chirping sound to the musical instrument that produces a similar high-pitched sound, and then broadens to encompass any hollow, tubular conduit. This evolution from an onomatopoeic sound to an object and finally to a functional concept illustrates a classic path of lexical development.
Analysis
The word 'pipe' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The plumber fixed the leaking water pipe under the sink.
He sat by the fire, contentedly smoking his old wooden pipe.
The ancient melody was played on a simple reed pipe.