whip
whip
UK[wɪp]US[wɪp]
n
A long, thin piece of leather or rope with a handle, used for hitting animals or people.
v
To hit a person or animal with a whip.
v
To move something quickly and suddenly, or to remove something quickly.
v
To beat cream, eggs, etc. very quickly in order to make it thick and firm.
Etymology
The word 'whip' originates from Middle English whippen, likely of imitative or expressive origin, meant to convey the sound or motion of a quick, sweeping stroke. It is related to the Middle Dutch word wippen, meaning 'to swing, leap, or dance', and the Low German wippen, 'to flutter'. This etymological cluster suggests a core concept of rapid, back-and-forth or vibratory motion, which logically extends from the action of brandishing a lash to the modern meanings of striking, moving suddenly, or agitating a substance vigorously.
Analysis
The word 'whip' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. Its core form has remained largely unchanged in English, representing a single, indivisible lexical unit.
Examples
The rider cracked the whip to urge the horse forward.
The wind whipped the flags violently against the pole.
Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.