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

So he found a workaround: a paper clip.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Not because you flung paper clips at the substitute teacher again, but because your deskmate who has been missing since this morning went home thanks to head lice.

From Salon