zip|per

zip|per «ZIHP uhr», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a sliding fastener for clothing, shoes, boots, bags, containers, and covers, consisting of two flexible parts interlocked or separated by an attached sliding device which is pulled along between them; slide fastener. A zipper is used in place of buttons, laces, etc. »

He has a zipper on his coat.

2. Zipper. a former trademark for this fastening.

3. a) a strip of paper, plastic, or string on an envelope or bag that functions like a zipper to open it up. b) two interlocking strips on a plastic bag that can be used to open or close it.

4. Surfing. a howler.

5. an electronic message display in the form of a strip continuously scrolling across the side of a building or other space: »

...as the zipper circling the old Times Tower spelled out unambiguous headlines in a slender necklace of lights. (New York Times)

–v.i., v.t.

to fasten or close with a zipper: »

He was wearing a slate-blue flying suit zippered up to his chest (New Yorker).

╂[American English < zip¹ + -er¹]

–zip´per|less, adjective.