stamp
stamp / stamp/ • v. [tr.] 1. bring down (one's foot) heavily on the ground or on something on the ground: he stamped his foot in frustration| [intr.] he threw his cigarette down and stamped on it | fig. Robertson stamped on all these suggestions. ∎ [tr.] crush, flatten, or remove with a heavy blow from one's feet: he stamped out the flames before they could grow. ∎ (stamp something out) suppress or put an end to something by taking decisive action: urgent action is required to stamp out corruption. ∎ [intr.] walk with heavy, forceful steps: John stamped off, muttering.2. impress a pattern or mark, esp. an official one, on (a surface, object, or document) using an engraved or inked block or die or other instrument: the woman stamped my passport. ∎ impress (a pattern or mark) on something in such a way: a key with a number stamped on the shaft | fig. he must be able to stamp his authority on his team. ∎ make (something) by cutting it out with a die or mold: the knives are stamped out from a flat strip of steel. ∎ fig. reveal or mark out as having a particular character, quality, or ability: his style stamps him as a player to watch.3. affix a postage stamp or stamps onto (a letter or package): Annie stamped the envelope for her.4. crush or pulverize (ore).• n. 1. an instrument for stamping a pattern or mark, in particular an engraved or inked block or die. ∎ a mark or pattern made by such an instrument, esp. one indicating official validation or certification: passports with visa stamps| fig. the emperor gave them his stamp of approval. ∎ fig. a characteristic or distinctive impression or quality: the whole project has the stamp of authority. ∎ a particular class or type or person or thing: empiricism of this stamp has been esp. influential in British philosophy.2. a small adhesive piece of paper stuck to something to show that an amount of money has been paid, in particular a postage stamp: a first-class stamp.3. an act or sound of stamping with the foot: the stamp of boots on the bare floor.4. a block for crushing ore in a stamp mill.DERIVATIVES: stamp·er n.
stamp
A. †bray, pound XII;
B. bring down the foot heavily XIV;
C. strike an impression on something XVI. prob. OE. *stampian = (M)LG., (M)Du. stampen, OHG. stampfōn pound (G. stampfen stamp with the foot, pound, crush), ON. stappa :- Gmc. *stampōjan, f. *stampaz, -ōn pestle, mortar, prob. f. nasalized var. of *stap- tread, STEP; reinforced or infl. in sense in ME. by (O)F. estamper stamp, of Gmc. orig.
Hence, or — F. estampe, stamp sb. stamping instrument XV; stamped or impressed mark XVI; kind, character; act of stamping as with the foot.