Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Wipe?

\Wipe\, n. [Cf. Sw. vipa, Dan. vibe, the lapwing.] (Zo["o]l.) The lapwing. [Prov. Eng.]
\Wipe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wiped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Wiping}.] [OE. vipen, AS. w[=i]pian; cf. LG. wiep a wisp of straw, Sw. vepa to wrap up, to cuddle one's self up, vepa a blanket; perhaps akin to E. whip.] 1. To rub with something soft for cleaning; to clean or dry by rubbing; as, to wipe the hands or face with a towel. Let me wipe thy face. --Shak. I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. --2 Kings xxi. 13. 2. To remove by rubbing; to rub off; to obliterate; -- usually followed by away, off or out. Also used figuratively. ``To wipe out our ingratitude.'' --Shak. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon. --Milton. 3. To cheat; to defraud; to trick; -- usually followed by out. [Obs.] --Spenser. If they by coveyne [covin] or gile be wiped beside their goods. --Robynson (More's Utopia) {To wipe a joint} (Plumbing), to make a joint, as between pieces of lead pipe, by surrounding the junction with a mass of solder, applied in a plastic condition by means of a rag with which the solder is shaped by rubbing. {To wipe the nose of}, to cheat. [Old Slang]
\Wipe\, n. 1. Act of rubbing, esp. in order to clean. 2. A blow; a stroke; a hit; a swipe. [Low] 3. A gibe; a jeer; a severe sarcasm. --Swift. 4. A handkerchief. [Thieves' Cant or Slang] 5. Stain; brand. [Obs.] ``Slavish wipe.'' --Shak.