chopstick

== English == === Alternative forms === chop-stick === Etymology === Apparently a compound of chop + stick, but the sense of the first element is not clear. The eating utensil sense (attested since 1637) is presumably a transfer of sense from the earlier fishing tackle sense (attested from 1615), based on physical resemblance. The common derivation from Chinese Pidgin English chop(-chop) (“quick”), a supposed calque from Chinese 筷子 (kuàizi, “chopstick”), derived from 快 (kuài, “quick”), is chronologically impossible as Chinese Pidgin English did not come into existence until the 18th century. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃɒp.stɪk/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃɑp.stɪk/ === Noun === chopstick (plural chopsticks) (usually in the plural) An East Asian eating utensil usually used as a pair and held in one hand to grip pieces of food or occasionally to mix liquids or scoop up small pieces of food. The utensil is a stick, usually made of wood and measuring approximately 23 cm (10 inches) in length. (ethnic slur) An Asian person. (obsolete, fishing) A long straight stick forming part of various fishing tackle arrangements. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== stick waribashi ==== Translations ==== === Verb === chopstick (third-person singular simple present chopsticks, present participle chopsticking, simple past and past participle chopsticked) (ambitransitive, informal) To pick up (food), or eat, using chopsticks, or as with chopsticks. ==== References ==== === See also === chopstick on Wikipedia.Wikipedia