▪ I. chapping, vbl. n.
(ˈtʃæpɪŋ)
[f. chap v.]
1. The fissuring or cracking of the surface; a chap or crack.
1540 T. Raynalde Byrth Man. (1564) 53 b, Pushes, chappynges or chynes, which cause great payne. 1669 Worlidge Syst. Agric. x. §1 (1681) 205 Pave it very well with Flints..which preserves the clay..from the chapping of the Wind or Sun at such times as the Pool is empty. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 244 Hair keeps the Mortar from Cracking or Chaping. 1860 F. Churchill Midwifery (ed. 4) xxix. 668 Excoriation or ‘chapping’ [of the nipple]. |
2. Sc. Striking, knocking. chapping stick, a stick to strike with, a weapon of offence.
[1657 Chopping-stick: see chopping vbl. n.] 1721 Kelly Sc. Prov. 104 (Jam.) Fools should not have chapping sticks. 1815 Scott Guy M. vi. 1823 Tennant Cdl. Beaton 117 (Jam.) An' I but ance tak up a chappin-stick, I'd fain knap a crown wi't, mair especially a rotten Papist's. |
▪ II. ˈchapping, ppl. a.
[f. chap v.1 + -ing2.]
That chaps or breaks in chinks or clefts.
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey i. x. 24 Chapping grounds, chinking, or chauming with Cranies. |
2. Breaking in short waves; = chopping ppl. a.
1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 32 The wind..blowing hard..caused a chapping sea. |