lop

Definition

To cut off as the top or extreme part of anything, especially to prune a small limb off a shrub or tree, or sometimes to behead someone.

Etymology

From Middle English loppe (“bough”); the verb is a back-formation from the noun.

Example Sentences

• "Some, for hard masters, broken under arms, In battle lopt away, with half their limbs, Beg bitter bread thro’ realms their valour sav’d,"
• "to lop the head"