stamp

stamp / stamp/ • v. [tr.] 1. bring down (one's foot) heavily on the ground or on something on the ground: he stamped his foot in frustration| [intr.] he threw his cigarette down and stamped on it | fig. Robertson stamped on all these suggestions. ∎  [tr.] crush, flatten, or remove with a heavy blow from one's feet: he stamped out the flames before they could grow. ∎  (stamp something out) suppress or put an end to something by taking decisive action: urgent action is required to stamp out corruption. ∎  [intr.] walk with heavy, forceful steps: John stamped off, muttering. 2. impress a pattern or mark, esp. an official one, on (a surface, object, or document) using an engraved or inked block or die or other instrument: the woman stamped my passport. ∎  impress (a pattern or mark) on something in such a way: a key with a number stamped on the shaft | fig. he must be able to stamp his authority on his team. ∎  make (something) by cutting it out with a die or mold: the knives are stamped out from a flat strip of steel. ∎ fig. reveal or mark out as having a particular character, quality, or ability: his style stamps him as a player to watch. 3. affix a postage stamp or stamps onto (a letter or package): Annie stamped the envelope for her. 4. crush or pulverize (ore). • n. 1. an instrument for stamping a pattern or mark, in particular an engraved or inked block or die. ∎  a mark or pattern made by such an instrument, esp. one indicating official validation or certification: passports with visa stamps| fig. the emperor gave them his stamp of approval. ∎ fig. a characteristic or distinctive impression or quality: the whole project has the stamp of authority. ∎  a particular class or type or person or thing: empiricism of this stamp has been esp. influential in British philosophy. 2. a small adhesive piece of paper stuck to something to show that an amount of money has been paid, in particular a postage stamp: a first-class stamp. 3. an act or sound of stamping with the foot: the stamp of boots on the bare floor. 4. a block for crushing ore in a stamp mill. DERIVATIVES: stamp·er n.