lip
Pronunciation: (lip), [key]
— n., adj., v., lipped, lip•ping.
—n.
- either of the two fleshy parts or folds forming the margins of the mouth and functioning in speech.
- Usually,these parts as organs of speech: I heard it from his own lips.
- a projecting edge on a container or other hollow object: the lip of a pitcher.
- a liplike part or structure, esp. of anatomy.
- any edge or rim.
- the edge of an opening or cavity, as of a canyon or a wound: the lip of the crater.
- impudent talk; back talk: Don't give me any of your lip.
- either of the two parts into which the corolla or calyx of certain plants, esp. of the mint family, is divided.
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- a labium.
- the outer or the inner margin of the aperture of a gastropod's shell.
- the position and arrangement of lips and tongue in playing a wind instrument; embouchure.
- the cutting edge of a tool.
- the blade, at the end of an auger, which cuts the chip after it has been circumscribed by the spur.
- (in a twist drill) the cutting edge at the bottom of each flute.
- to repress one's anger or other emotions: He wanted to return the insult, but bit his lip.
- to keep silent, esp., to refrain from revealing information: They told him to button his lip if he didn't want trouble.
- to listen to very attentively: The members of the club hung on the lips of the visiting lecturer.
- Throughout the crisis they kept a stiff upper lip.
- to face misfortune bravely and resolutely:Throughout the crisis they kept a stiff upper lip.
- to suppress the display of any emotion.
- to indicate one's keen enjoyment or pleasurable anticipation of: We smacked our lips over the delicious meal.
—adj.
- of or pertaining to the lips or a lip: lip ointment.
- characterized by or made with the lips: to read lip movements.
- superficial or insincere: to offer lip praise.
—v.t.
- to touch with the lips.
- to hit the ball over the rim of (the hole).
- to utter, esp. softly.
- to kiss.
—v.i.
- to use the lips in playing a musical wind instrument.
- to talk impudently or belligerently.
lip-
- var. of before a vowel: lipectomy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.