sip
UK[sɪp]US[sɪp]
v
To drink something slowly, taking a very small amount into your mouth at a time.
n
A very small amount of a drink that you take into your mouth.
Etymology
The word 'sip' first appeared in Middle English (as 'sippen') during the 14th century. It is considered an expressive or onomatopoeic formation, likely imitating the faint, soft sound made when drawing liquid into the mouth in small quantities. This origin connects the word's sound directly to its core meaning of delicate, cautious drinking. Unlike words built from Latin or Greek roots, 'sip' represents a fundamental sensory action, and its form has remained remarkably stable in its journey from Middle English to modern usage, retaining its concise phonetic link to the act it describes.
Analysis
The word 'sip' is a monosyllabic, likely onomatopoeic or expressive formation in English, imitative of the sound or action of drawing in a small amount of liquid. Its origin is not from a transparent combination of classical morphemes.
Examples
She sipped her tea while reading the morning paper.
He took a cautious sip of the hot soup.
I'll just have a sip of your drink to see what it tastes like.