paper clip

¹

noun

1. a flat wire or plastic clip shaped so that it can hold sheets of paper between two of its loops.

2. a spring clamp for holding papers.

paper-clip

²

[pey-per-klip]

verb (used with object)

paper-clipped, paper-clipping 

1. to fasten together with one or more paper clips.

   Paper-clip these letters and file them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper clip¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of paper clip²

First recorded in 1960–65