Word: whip Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English whippen, wippen (“to flap violently”), from Middle Dutch wippen (“to swing, leap, dance, oscillate”) and Middle Low German wippen (“to move quickly”), from Proto-Germanic *wippōną (“to move back and forth”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weyp- (“to shake; to swing”). (See Swedish vippa and Danish vippe (“to shake”)). The unetymological wh- is probably expressive of the sound of a whip; compare the same development in whisk and onomatopoeias such as whack and whoosh. The political senses are from whipper-in (“huntsman who keeps the hounds from wandering”), from 18th-century hunting terminology. Pronunciation: /ˈwɪp/, /ˈʍɪp/, [ˈw̥ɪp] 1. A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals. Example: I had to use the whip to get the sheep's attention. 2. A lash; a pliant, flexible instrument, such as a rod (commonly of cane or rattan) or a plaited or braided rope or thong (commonly of leather) used to create a sharp "crack" sound for directing or herding animals. Example: Once he ran out of appeals, he knew he would soon feel the sting of the whip. 3. A blow administered with a whip. Example: I had hardly said the word, when Kit jumped into the saddle, and gave his horse a whip and a spur — and off it cantered, as if it were in as great a hurry to be married as Kit himself. 4. A whipper-in. Example: At half-past ten, Tom Moody, Sir Huddlestone Fuddlestone's huntsman, was seen trotting up the avenue, followed by the noble pack of hounds in a compact body—the rear being brought up by the two whips clad in stained scarlet frocks—light hard-featured lads on well-bred lean horses, possessing marvellous dexterity in casting the points of their long heavy whips at the thinnest part of any dog's skin who dares to straggle from the main body […] Example: From the far side of the wood came the long shrill screech […] which signifies that one of the whips has viewed the fox quitting the covert. 5. A member of a political party who is in charge of enforcing the party's policies in votes. Example: I was going to vote against the bill, but the party whip came to see me and made it clear I needed to vote for it. Example: The Conservative deputy chief whip has resigned after admitting he had “embarrassed myself and other people” following reports that he drunkenly groped two men at a private club. Chris Pincher wrote to Boris Johnson saying he was standing down after drinking too much. However, he did not address the allegations that he was reported to the whips by Conservative MPs who had witnessed his behaviour towards two men at the Carlton Club in Piccadilly. 6. A document distributed weekly to MPs by party whips informing them of upcoming votes in parliament. Labels: UK, with-definite-article 7. The regular status of an MP within a parliamentary party, which can be revoked by the party as a disciplinary measure. Labels: UK, broadly Example: to withdraw the whip Example: As a result, he was stripped of the whip on Tuesday, preventing him from voting in the fourth ballot to narrow down candidates to be the next party leader. 8. Whipped cream. Example: Did you want to add some whip to your coffee, ma'am? 9. A purchase in which one block is used to gain a 2:1 mechanical advantage. 10. A mode of personal motorized transportation; an automobile, all makes and models including motorcycles, excluding public transportation. Example: Come on, let's take my whip so we can get there in time. Example: Had four bills and I bought me a car / Little red whip that I bought for my marge 11. A move in which one player transfers momentum to another. 12. A whipping motion; a thrashing about. Example: I was startled by the whip of the rope when it finally snapped. 13. The quality of being whiplike or flexible; suppleness, as of the shaft of a golf club. 14. Any of various pieces that operate with a quick vibratory motion 15. Any of various pieces that operate with a quick vibratory motion 16. A coach driver; a coachman. Labels: historical Example: Lord Carington […] led the way with his chestnuts, having a distinguished brother whip, Lord Londesborough, by his side.