paper clip

¹ American  

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.

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paper-clip ² American  

[pey-per-klip] / ˈpeɪ pərˈklɪp /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of paper clip¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of paper-clip²

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

It’s as preposterous as—and far more dangerous than—a state rejecting the dollar and accepting only bitcoin, guilders or paper clips as its currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

The crows brought him silver buttons and paper clips, and coins which he dug holes in and strung onto a shoelace and wore round his neck.

From Literature

“What is all that? It looks like paper clips!”

From Literature

My college applications—each in its bulky envelope, larded with paper clips, staples and whiteout—had to be postmarked by noon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even Woo has a paper clip pinning his tiny nostrils together.

From Literature