noun
chump
A thick end piece of wood, meat, or similar material.
The old inventory lists a chump of wood.
Etymology
The thick-piece sense is older than the familiar insult. Its deeper origin is uncertain, but it names a solid chunk or end portion rather than someone considered foolish.
More examples
- The historical account described a thick chump cut from a log.
- In the butcher's older terminology, the end piece was a chump.
- The glossary illustrated a chump as a short, heavy block.
Forms
chump · chumps