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stamp (stămp)
Share:
v. stamped, stamp·ing, stamps
v.tr.
1. To bring down (the foot) forcibly.
2. To bring the foot down onto (an object or surface) forcibly.
3. To cause to be dislodged by stomping the feet: He stamped the snow from his boots.
4. To subdue, destroy, or eliminate: stamped the rebellion; stamp out a fire.
5. To crush or grind with a heavy instrument: stamp ore.
6. To form or cut out by application of a mold, form, or die: washers that were stamped from a piece of sheet metal.
7. To imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal: stamp a passport.
8. To impress forcibly or permanently: an experience that was stamped on his memory.
9. To affix an adhesive stamp to (an envelope, for example).
10. To identify, characterize, or reveal: stamped her as a traitor to the cause.
v.intr.
1. To thrust the foot forcibly downward: stamp on the brake pedal.
2. To walk with forcible, heavy steps.
n.
1. The act of stamping.
2.
a. An implement or device used to impress, cut out, or shape something to which it is applied.
b. An impression or shape formed by such an implement or device.
3. An official mark, design, or seal that indicates ownership, approval, completion, or the payment of a tax.
4.
a. A small piece of gummed paper sold by a government for attachment to an article that is to be mailed; a postage stamp.
b. A similar piece of gummed paper issued for a specific purpose: trading stamps.
5. An identifying or characterizing mark or impression: His work bears the stamp of genius.
6. Characteristic nature or quality: a person of her stamp.
[Middle English stampen, possibly alteration of Old English stempan, to pound in a mortar.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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