pop

I. verb (popped; popping) Etymology: Middle English poppen, of imitative origin Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to strike or knock sharply ; hit 2. to push, put, or thrust suddenly and often deftly <

pops a grape into her mouth

> <

popped in a CD

> 3. to cause to explode or burst open <

popped some popcorn

> <

pop the trunk

> 4. to fire at ; shoot 5. to take (pills) especially frequently or habitually 6. to open with a pop <

pop a cold beer

> intransitive verb 1. a. to go, come, or appear suddenly — often used with up <

images popping up on the screen

> <

pop in for a visit

> b. to escape or break away from something (as a point of attachment) usually suddenly or unexpectedly 2. to make or burst with a sharp sound <

a balloon popped

> 3. to protrude from the sockets <

eyes popping with amazement

> 4. to shoot with a firearm 5. to hit a pop fly — often used with up or out II. noun Date: 1591 1. a sharp explosive sound 2. a shot from a gun 3. soda pop 4. pop fly 5. power to hit a baseball hard <

a hitter with some pop in his bat

> 6. a drink or shot of alcohol III. adverb Date: 1621 like or with a pop ; suddenly — often used interjectionally IV. noun Etymology: short for poppa Date: 1838 father V. adjective Etymology: by shortening Date: 1880 1. popular <

pop music

>: as a. of or relating to popular music <

pop singer

> b. of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media <

pop psychology

> <

pop grammarians

> <

pop society

> 2. a. of or relating to pop art <

pop painter

> b. having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art <

pop movie

> VI. noun Date: 1935 1. popular music 2. pop art 3. pop culture VII. abbreviation population