gymp

Noun

guimpe (countable and uncountable, plural guimpes)

1. Gimp; a narrow flat braid or reinforced cord of fabric used for ornamental trimming.
2. A kind of short, high-necked blouse with sleeves of the late Victorian era, designed to be worn under a low-cut dress, jumper, or pinafore dress.
   • Smocking done in colors on fine white batiste, silk mull, or nainsook makes pretty guimpes and dresses for children and very smart blouses for women.1916, “Smocking”, in The Dressmaker: A Complete Book on All Matters Connected with Sewing and Dressmaking […], 2nd revised and enlarged edition, New York, N.Y.; London: The Butterick Publishing...
3. A kind of short chemisette or yoke insert made of lace, embroidery, or the like, worn with a low-necked dress.
4. A wimple; a wide, stiffly starched cloth that covers the neck and shoulders, as part of the habit of nuns of certain orders.
   • All the nuns at the convent wore plain blouses and skirts except for Sister Edgar, who had permission from the motherhouse to fit herself out in the old things with the arcane names, the wimple, cincture and guimpe.1997, Don DeLillo, Underworld

Verb (1)

gimp (third-person singular simple present gimps, present participle gimping, simple past and past participle gimped)

1. Of yarn, cord, thread, etc., to wrap or wind (surround) with another length of yarn or wire in a tight spiral, often by means of a gimping machine, creating 'gimped yarn', etc. Also, generally, to wrap or twist with string or wire. See gimped.
   • It consists of seventy fine spun cotton threads, gimped or tied around with thread by a machine similar to that for wrapping bonnet wire.1856, Campbell Morfit, A Treatise on Chemistry Applied to the Manufacture of Soap and Candles, page 435 with illustration
2. (dated) To notch or indent; to jag or make jagged; to edge with serrations or grooves.
   • They are prettier cut and gimped in the shape of wheels.1890, Sarah Tyson Heston Rorer, How to Cook Vegetables, page 25

Verb (2)

gimp (third-person singular simple present gimps, present participle gimping, simple past and past participle gimped)

1. (informal, intransitive) To limp; to hobble.
2. (slang, transitive) To make underpowered; to limit or restrict the useful effects of.

   Synonyms:

   nerf

See all 15 meanings of gimp