tip¹ / tip/ • n. the pointed or rounded end or extremity of something slender or tapering: George pressed the tips of his fingers together the northern tip of Maine. ∎  a small piece or part fitted to the end of an object: the rubber tip of the walking stick.• v. (tipped, tip·ping) [tr.] 1. [usu. as adj.] (tipped) attach to or cover the end or extremity of: mountains tipped with snow | [in comb.] steel-tipped spears. ∎  color (something) at its end or edge: velvety red petals tipped with white.2. (tip a page in) (in bookbinding) paste a single page, typically an illustration, to the neighboring page of a book by a thin line of paste down its inner margin.PHRASES: on the tip of one's tongue used to indicate that someone is almost but not quite able to bring a particular word or name to mind: his name's on the tip of my tongue! ∎  used to indicate that someone is about to utter a comment or question but thinks better of it: it was on the tip of his tongue to ask what was the matter.the tip of the icebergsee iceberg.tip² • v. (tipped, tip·ping) 1. overbalance or cause to overbalance so as to fall or turn over: [intr.] the hay caught fire when the candle tipped over | [tr.] a youth sprinted past, tipping over her glass. ∎  be or cause to be in a sloping position with one end or side higher than the other: [tr.] I tipped my seat back, preparing myself for sleep | [intr.] the car had tipped to one side. 2. [tr.] strike or touch lightly: I tipped his hoof with the handle of a knife. ∎  [tr.] cause (an object) to move somewhere by striking or touching it in this way: the ball was tipped over the rim by Erving.3. [intr.] (tip off) Basketball put the ball in play by throwing it up between two opponents.• n. Baseball a pitched ball that is slightly deflected by the bat.PHRASES: tip one's hand inf. reveal one's intentions inadvertently.tip one's hat (or cap) raise or touch one's hat or cap as a way of greeting or acknowledging someone.tip the scales (or balance) (of a circumstance or event) be the deciding factor; make the critical difference: her proven current form tips the scales in her favor.tip the scales at have a weight of (a specified amount): this phone tips the scales at only 5 ounces.tip³ • n. 1. a sum of money given to someone as a reward for their services.2. a small but useful piece of practical advice. ∎  a prediction or piece of expert information about the likely winner of a race or contest: Barry had a hot tip.• v. (tipped, tip·ping) [tr.] give (someone) a sum of money as a way of rewarding them for their services: I tipped her five dollars | [intr.] that sort of person never tips. PHRASES: tip someone off inf. give someone information about something, typically in a discreet or confidential way: they were arrested after police were tipped off by local residents.

tip2 tap or touch lightly. XIII (in fig. use; thereafter not till XVI); give, hand, pass XVII; give a gratuity to XVIII. perh. orig. identical with TIP1. as if ‘touch the point of’, or ‘touch as with a point’.
Hence tip sb. gratuity XVIII; friendly hint XIX; whence tipster XIX.

TIP Acronym for terminal interface processor. A specially configured IMP that was the ARPANET equivalent of a PAD.

tip1 fine or slender extremity XV; vb. (first in pp.) furnish with a tip XIV. — ON. typpi sb., typpa vb., f. Gmc. *tupp- TOP1; prob. reinforced by (M)LG., (M)Du. tip.

tip3 (dial.) overturn, be overturned XIV; incline, tilt; empty out by tilting XVII. of uncert. orig.