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

Example Sentences

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

Read more on Literature

So he found a workaround: a paper clip.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I was holding it together with Scotch tape and paper clips.

Read more on Salon

“I kept the paper clips,’’ Wambaugh said, “and never met Webb.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I mean, we may lose our paper clips and bottle caps, but we always have each other.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times