knippen

Signification

Verb

1. (transitive) to cut with scissors
2. (transitive) to cut (remove an item and place it in memory for later use)
3. (archaic,transitive) to make a pinching movement, especially with one's eyelids; thus, to blink
4. (intransitive,transitive) to snap one's fingers

Noun

plural of knip

Coupé comme

knip‧pen

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/ˈknɪpə(n)/

Étymologie

From Middle Dutch knippen, further etymology unknown. Directly related only with Middle Low German knippen. Probably onomatopoeic.
The sense “to blink” may, at least in part, be due to conflation with knijpen (“to squeeze”). Compare de ogen toeknijpen (“to screw up one’s eyes”); also Low German knippen and kniepen both in the sense of “to blink”, German kniepen. See also Dutch knipperen.

Phrases

Ik ga de dorre bladeren van de boom knippen .

Je vais couper les feuilles sèches de l'arbre.