mop

¹

[ mop ]

noun

1. a bundle of coarse yarn, a sponge, or other absorbent material, fastened at the end of a stick or handle for washing floors, dishes, etc.
2. a thick mass of hair.
3. a polishing wheel having several layers of cloth secured by a boss.

verb (used with object)

, mopped, mop·ping.

1. to rub, wipe, clean, or remove with a mop (often followed by up ):

   to mop up a spill.

2. to wipe as if with a mop:

   to mop the face with a handkerchief.

verb (used without object)

, mopped, mop·ping.

1. to clean or wipe with or as if with a mop (often followed by up ):

   First he swept, then he mopped up.

verb phrase

1. 1. Military. to clear (ground, trenches, towns, etc.) of scattered or remaining enemy combatants after attacking forces have conquered the area.
   2. Informal. to dispose of; complete; finish:

      He mopped up the rest of his business and went on a vacation.

mop

²

[ mop ]

verb (used without object)

, mopped, mop·ping.

1. to make a disappointed or unhappy face; grimace:

   an unruly child that mops and mows.

noun

1. a wry face; grimace.

mop

¹

/ mɒp /

noun

1. an implement with a wooden handle and a head made of twists of cotton or a piece of synthetic sponge, used for polishing or washing floors, or washing dishes
2. something resembling this, such as a tangle of hair

verb

1. troften foll byup to clean or soak up with or as if with a mop

mop

²

/ mɒp /

verb

1. intr to make a grimace or sad expression (esp in the phrase mop and mow )

noun

1. such a face or expression

mop

³

/ mɒp /

noun

1. (in various parts of England) an annual fair at which formerly servants were hired

Word History and Origins

Origin of mop¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; earlier map, late Middle English mappe, shortening f mappel, from Medieval Latin mappula, mappa “handtowel, cloth,” equivalent to Latin mapp(a) “napkin” + -ula -ule

Origin of mop²

First recorded in 1450–1500 for the noun, and in 1560–70 for the verb; perhaps akin to Dutch moppen “to mutter, pout”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mop¹

C15 mappe , from earlier mappel , from Medieval Latin mappula cloth, from Latin mappa napkin

Origin of mop²

C16: perhaps from Dutch moppen to pour; compare Dutch mop pug dog

Origin of mop³

C17: from the practice of servants carrying a mop, broom, or flail, etc, to signify the job sought

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. mop the floor with. floor ( def 20 ).

Example Sentences

This robot vacuum is one of the best in its class thanks to its robust combination of dual vacuum and mop technology alongside three levels of suction power and a battery life of over three hours.

From Popular-Science

She still needed a grease trap, emergency lights, a mop sink, a bottle sink and a prep sink for food, even though the city of Independence had told her that she wasn’t allowed to make food for her kids without a commercial kitchen.

From ProPublica

That’s when I saw that beside him he had one of those cleaning carts, with a mop.

From Washington Post

With so many steam mops on the market, it can be overwhelming to delve in and find the right one.

From Popular-Science

Features to consider when shopping for the best steam mopThe best steam mop for me may not be the best steam mop for you.

From Popular-Science

Indeed, a common racial slur in Dutch is, precisely, roetmop, which means soot mop.

From The Daily Beast

They had kicked the old mop out of the house and slammed the door.

From The Daily Beast

It was about a family that had discarded their trusty old mop for a new, improved model.

From The Daily Beast

In person, Gondry is more Joel than Doc Brown—a fragile, soft-spoken man with a mop of curly brown hair.

From The Daily Beast

Mop is made up of a large, graphic vinyl, an array of found objects, and a selection of images.

From The Daily Beast

But it is emulating Mrs. Partington and her mop to attempt to preach down a (p. 206) world.

From Project Gutenberg

He then drew from his kimono sleeve a pink-bordered foreign pocket-handkerchief, and began to mop his damp forehead.

From Project Gutenberg

"On the porch, if you have eyes for anything less attractive than a young lady with a mop of blue hair," said the indignant Rob.

From Project Gutenberg

His face was an exact triangle, beginning with a mop of red-brown hair, and ending with a pointed chin.

From Project Gutenberg

Isabel sat back with her black mop of hair buried deep in the chair looking quickly from face to face.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dab
• swab
• wipe