mopping-up
[ mop-ing-uhp ]
/ ˈmɒp ɪŋˈʌp /
adjective
serving to complete or put the finishing touches to a phase of a particular action.
serving to complete a military campaign by killing or capturing any remaining enemy troops: a mopping-up operation.
Origin of mopping-up
1905–10;
mop up +
-ing1, used attributively
Words nearby mopping-up
Definition for mopping up (2 of 2)
Origin of mop
1
1375–1425; earlier
map, late Middle English
mappe, apocopated variant of
mappel < Medieval Latin
mappula a cloth, equivalent to Latin
mapp(a) napkin +
-ula
-ule
British Dictionary definitions for mopping up (1 of 3)
mop
1
/ (mɒp) /
noun
an implement with a wooden handle and a head made of twists of cotton or a piece of synthetic sponge, used for polishing or washing floors, or washing dishes
something resembling this, such as a tangle of hair
verb mops, mopping or mopped
(tr often foll by up)
to clean or soak up with or as if with a mop
See also
mop up
Word Origin for mop
C15
mappe, from earlier
mappel, from Medieval Latin
mappula cloth, from Latin
mappa napkin
British Dictionary definitions for mopping up (2 of 3)
mop
2
/ (mɒp) rare /
verb mops, mopping or mopped
(intr)
to make a grimace or sad expression (esp in the phrase mop and mow)
noun
such a face or expression
Word Origin for mop
C16: perhaps from Dutch
moppen to pour; compare Dutch
mop pug dog
British Dictionary definitions for mopping up (3 of 3)
mop
3
/ (mɒp) /
noun
(in various parts of England) an annual fair at which formerly servants were hired
Word Origin for mop
C17: from the practice of servants carrying a mop, broom, or flail, etc, to signify the job sought