† phip Obs.
An imitation of the chirp of a sparrow; hence formerly used as name for a sparrow. Also Philip.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xi. 41 ‘Ȝee, farewel phippe [C. xii. 310 fyppe]!’ quod fauntelte. a 1529 Skelton Ph. Sparowe 138 And whan I sayd, Phyp, Phyp, Than he wold lepe and skyp. a 1577 Gascoigne Praise P. Sparrow Wks. (1587) 285 As if you say but Fend cut Phip, Lord, how the peat will turne and skip. |