verb
lop
LAHP/lɑːp/
To cut off part of something.
She uses sharp shears to lop off the damaged branches.
Etymology
Middle English loppe named the small branches and twigs left by tree trimming, so the verb names the action that produces those cuttings. The noun's earlier origin is unknown.
In context
The Indians, when they go out to gather it, simply lop off these little ends as they peep above the earth, dry them, keep what they wish for their own use
More examples
- We lopped the top off the fence post.
- The new route lops ten minutes off my commute.
- He is lopping off roots that block the path.
Forms
lop · lops · lopped · lopping
loppers noun — Long-handled shears used for cutting branches.