pip
word
Definition
A small seed of a fruit (such as an apple or orange), a spot on a playing card or domino, or a short high-pitched tone used as a signal. Also a disease in birds.
Usage & Nuances
Multiple distinct meanings: fruit seed (British English prefers 'pip' over 'seed' for citrus), the dots on cards/dice, a short beep (British radio time signal: 'the pips'), and in informal British English 'to pip someone' means to narrowly beat them. Also a character name in 'Great Expectations'.
Example Sentences
Be careful not to swallow the pips when eating an orange.
basic
Each card has a number of pips that shows its value.
basic
At the sound of the pips, the time will be exactly six o'clock.
basic
She pipped him to the gold medal by just a tenth of a second.
natural
Remove the apple pips before making the sauce, or it'll taste bitter.
natural
The whole project was going fine until a minor setback pipped us at the post.
natural