# stamp

Pronunciation: say "STAMP" /stæmp/

## Noun

1. A small piece of paper with a design and a face value, attached to mail or documents to prepay postage, taxes, or license fees.
   - Simple: A small sticky piece of paper you put on a letter to pay for mailing it.
   - _The collector paid thousands for a rare stamp from the 1850s._
   - _Each parcel needs the correct stamps to cover the postage._
2. A tool or device used to press a design, mark, or symbol onto a surface.
   - Simple: A tool you press onto paper or other things to leave a mark or design.
   - _The clerk reached for the date stamp to process each application._
   - _Old wax seals were made with metal stamps bearing family crests._
3. A mark, imprint, or indentation left on a surface by pressing or stamping.
   - Simple: A mark or print left behind when something is pressed down hard.
   - _Customs left a faint stamp in the corner of the passport page._
   - _Each brick bore the maker's stamp pressed into the clay._
8. A single forceful bringing-down of the foot, paw, or hoof onto the ground.
   - Simple: A quick, hard hit of the foot or hoof on the ground.
   - _A single stamp of the rabbit's foot warned the others of danger._
   - _The dancer ended the routine with a loud stamp._
12. A small piece of paper with a design on one side and glue on the other, used to decorate letters or craft projects.
   - Simple: A small sticky piece of paper with a picture, used to decorate cards or crafts.
   - _The scrapbook page was bright with floral stamps._
   - _She chose a glittery stamp to finish the invitation._
13. A tattoo marked on the body. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A tattoo inked onto someone's skin.
   - _The artist inked a bold stamp across his forearm._
   - _She added another stamp to the designs running up her back._
14. A single dose of the hallucinogenic drug LSD. *(slang)*
   - Simple: A single dose of the drug LSD.
   - _She split a stamp with her friend before the concert._
   - _A single stamp can cause hours of vivid hallucinations._
15. The character, type, or distinguishing quality that marks a person or thing; a sign or evidence of a particular nature.
   - Simple: The kind, type, or special quality that marks someone or something.
   - _Few politicians of his stamp remain in office today._
   - _The building bears the unmistakable stamp of its famous architect._
16. A heavy pestle raised by water or steam power and dropped to crush ores.
   - Simple: A heavy weight, lifted by water or steam, that drops down to crush rock and ore.
   - _Water power drove the heavy stamp that crushed the quartz._
   - _A row of stamps thundered day and night at the mill._

## Verb

4. To step down quickly and heavily with the foot, once or repeatedly.
   - Simple: To bring your foot down hard on the ground, often again and again.
   - _Protesters stamped and shouted outside the building._
   - _He likes to stamp on the icy puddles until they crack._
5. To give something an official mark, usually by pressing or imprinting a design or symbol onto it.
   - Simple: To press an official mark or design onto something.
   - _The notary stamped the contract to make it official._
   - _Inspectors stamp approved goods with a small blue seal._
6. To mark something by pressing down on it quickly and forcefully.
   - Simple: To make a mark on something by pressing down on it fast and hard.
   - _Workers stamp the company logo onto each metal part._
   - _The machine stamped serial numbers into the steel plates._
7. To bring the foot down hard on something, striking or pressing it with the sole.
   - Simple: To bring your foot down hard onto something to crush or press it.
   - _She stamped the empty can flat on the sidewalk._
   - _Villagers stamp the grapes to make wine._
9. To impress or mark something strongly, often in a lasting or figurative way.
   - Simple: To leave a strong, lasting mark on something, even in someone's mind.
   - _The war stamped its mark on every family in town._
   - _Strong mentors stamp their values on the people they teach._
10. To attach one or more postage stamps to a letter or parcel.
   - Simple: To stick a postage stamp onto a letter or package.
   - _The clerk stamped hundreds of envelopes before noon._
   - _You must stamp each parcel with enough postage._
11. To bring the foot or feet down quickly and heavily, whether once or many times.
   - Simple: To move your foot down quickly and hard, once or many times.
   - _He stamped his feet in frustration at the delay._
   - _Dancers stamp their feet hard against the wooden stage._

## Origin

From Middle English stampen ("to pound, crush"), from Old English roots meaning "to crush or pound," going back through Proto-Germanic *stampōną ("to trample, beat") to Proto-Indo-European *stemb- ("to trample down"); it is related to Dutch stampen, German stampfen, and Swedish stampa. Marks showing that postage had been paid were originally made by stamping the item, and when small pieces of paper were introduced for this purpose, the word "stamp" was carried over to them.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/stamp (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).