Strip
Definitions and Meaning in English
- To remove clothing or coverings from the body or an object.
- To take off a layer, covering, or part of something, often in a process of revealing or uncovering.
- To remove the essential or necessary parts of something, often leaving it bare or incomplete.
- A long, narrow piece of material, such as wood, fabric, or paper.
- To dismantle or take apart something, often in the context of removing components.
History and Origin
The word “strip” comes from the Old English strippian, which means “to remove” or “to peel off,” derived from the Proto-Germanic strippjan and related to the Middle Dutch strippen. The word has been used in various contexts since the 14th century, initially referring to the act of peeling or removing layers, particularly in the context of the human body or materials. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe the removal of layers from objects, as well as the specific form of a narrow piece of something, such as a strip of cloth or paper.
Detailed Explanation
To “strip” means to remove something, whether it is clothing, coverings, or layers from an object or material. This can involve physically removing clothing, such as when someone “strips” down to change, or it can describe the process of peeling away parts of an object to reveal something underneath. Stripping can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as when one strips away unnecessary components of a plan or idea. The term is also commonly used in reference to a narrow piece or portion of something, like a strip of land, fabric, or paper. In another usage, “strip” can describe a process of dismantling or breaking down something into its basic elements.
Example Sentences
- She had to strip off her wet clothes after getting caught in the rain.
- The workers stripped the old wallpaper from the walls to redecorate the room.
- They stripped the car for parts to sell in the junkyard.
- He stripped the tree of its bark to use in crafting.
- The thief stripped the house of all its valuables.
- He had to strip down the project to its core components.
- The athlete stripped down to his shorts before the race.
- A narrow strip of land separates the two properties.
- She peeled the apple, removing its skin in long strips.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
- Remove – To take something away or off from a place or position, often used in the context of stripping.
- Peel – To remove the outer layer or covering, similar to stripping.
- Dismantle – To take apart something, especially by stripping away its components.
- Expose – To reveal something by removing a covering or layer, akin to stripping something down.
- Uncover – To remove a cover or layer, allowing something to be revealed, similar to the action of stripping.
Related Words with Short Explanation
- Shred – To tear or cut into narrow pieces, often used in a context similar to stripping something into smaller parts.
- Bare – Lacking covering or clothing, often used after something has been stripped away.
- Skim – To remove a thin layer from the surface, similar to stripping away superficial parts.
- Expose – To make something visible by removing its covering, related to the concept of stripping.
- Peel – To remove a thin outer layer, often used interchangeably with strip, particularly with fruits or materials.
More Matches with Short Explanation
- Shave – To remove a thin layer from the surface of something, similar to stripping the top layer.
- Rip – To tear something apart, often leading to the stripping of its parts.
- Undress – To remove clothing, directly associated with the act of stripping.
- Clear – To remove obstacles, objects, or layers, akin to stripping something away.
- Pluck – To pull out or remove something, such as feathers, which can be part of a stripping process.
Antonyms
- Cover
- Dress
- Restore
- Protect
- Add