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mop1 definition

mop (mäp)

noun

  1. a bundle of loose rags or yarns, a sponge, etc. fastened to the end of a stick, as for washing or wiping floors
  2. anything suggestive of this, as a thick head of hair

Etymology: Early ModE mappe, naut. term < ? Walloon mappe < L mappa, napkin: see map

transitive verb mopped, mopping mop′·ping

to wash, rub, wipe, or remove with or as with a mop: often with up

Related Forms:

mop Idioms

mop up

  1. Informal
    1. to bring to an end; finish
    2. to defeat completely
  2. Mil. to clear out or round up isolated or scattered remnants of beaten enemy forces from (a town, battle area, etc.)
  3. to finish a task

mop (up) the floor with

Slang to defeat decisively
mop2 definition

mop (mäp)

noun, intransitive verb mopped, mopping mop′·ping

Archaic grimace

Etymology: < or akin to MDu moppen, MHG muffen, to grimace: for base see mope

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

mop Synonyms

mop

n.

swab, duster, sweeper; see broom.

Types of mops include: oil, floor, dust, dish, rag, wet, dry, soldering, metalworker's polishing, surgical; gun swab, miner's swab stick.


mop

v.

swab, wipe, rub, scrub, dab, pat, polish, wash, dust, wipe up; see also clean.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

mop Usage Examples

Object

  • bucket: He was lying ten feet from Bob Fassl's mop bucket.

Adjective modifier

  • blond: A blond mop flopped over his eyes and clumped against his forehead when the sweat stuck.

Modifies a noun

  • head: Tuesday, July 18th, 2006 How can I reuse or recycle... old mop heads?

Modifying Another Word

  • then: They clean the board and empty the rubbish bins, sweep the floor and then mop it.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: Let's just hope I'm not having to mop up too many tears!

Followed by a transitive particle

  • up: Serve with crusty bread to mop up the lovely sauce.

Particle object: up_obj

  • spill: Changing the diaper with a towel under the baby can help you to mop up spills quickly.

Noun used with modifier

  • Mrs: As soon as the Mrs Mop urge strikes we'll be giving it a try on one of the bikes from the RealClassic Shed.
mop usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"mop." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/mop>

APA Style

mop. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/mop

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