tipple

¹ American  

[tip-uhl] / ˈtɪp əl /

verb (used without object)

tippled, tippling

1. to drink intoxicating liquor, especially habitually or to some excess.

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verb (used with object)

tippled, tippling

1. to drink (intoxicating liquor), especially repeatedly, in small quantities.

noun

1. intoxicating liquor.

tipple ² American  

[tip-uhl] / ˈtɪp əl /

noun

1. a device that tilts or overturns a freight car to dump its contents.

2. a place where loaded cars are emptied by tipping.

3. Mining. a structure where coal is cleaned and loaded in railroad cars or trucks.

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tipple ¹ British  

/ ˈtɪpəl /

noun

1. a device for overturning ore trucks, mine cars, etc, so that they discharge their load

2. a place at which such trucks are tipped and unloaded

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verb

1. dialect to fall or cause to fall

tipple ² British  

/ ˈtɪpəl /

verb

1. to make a habit of taking (alcoholic drink), esp in small quantities

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noun

1. alcoholic drink

Other Word Forms

• tippler noun
• untippled adjective

Etymology

Origin of tipple¹

1490–1500; back formation from Middle English tipeler tapster, equivalent to tipel- tap ² (cognate with Dutch tepel teat) + -er -er ¹; tipsy

Origin of tipple²

1875–80, noun use of dial. tipple to tumble, frequentative of tip ²; -le

Example Sentences

Bar directors know such prices can elicit scoffs of disbelief, but they justify the big-ticket tipples by comparing them to special-occasion items at restaurants.

From The Wall Street Journal

England bowled full, and as their bowlers put their feet up their glasses - whatever the tipple - must have been a little more than half full.

From BBC

While you’re away, pinpoint at least one delicacy that will transport your guests to your vacation destination, preferably accompanied by a traditional tipple.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Queen also revealed that the Vesper Martini, which was invented by author Ian Fleming as James Bond's drink of choice, was a favourite tipple of the "much missed" Dame Jilly.

From BBC

“The tipple of Hong Kong,” according to Hahn.

From Salon