Also 7 chaup, 8 chap(p, (tiapp), 9 chhap. [ad. Hindī chhāp impression, print, stamp, brand, etc.: see Yule. The word has been carried by European traders to China, where it is now used in senses that have become obsolete in India.]
1. In India, China. A seal or the impression of a seal; an official impress or stamp.
1614. Milward, in Purchas, Pilgr., I. 526 (Y.). The King [of Achen] sent us his Chop.
1678. Lett. from Dacca Fact., in India Office (Y.). Alledging that they came without ye Visiers Chaup to him.
1696. Ovington, Voy. Suratt, 251 (Y.). Upon their Chops, as they call them in India, or Seals engraven, are only Characters, generally those of their Name, upon Gold, or Silver, or Cornelian Stones.
1818. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, III. 340. Mr. Pigot is said to have seized his chop, or seal, and applied it to the paper.
1859. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Chhap, on official mark on weights and measures, to indicate their accuracy; an eastern Custom-house stamp or seal on goods that have been examined and have paid duty.
2. A licence, passport, etc., made valid by means of such a seal; generally, a properly authenticated official document, permitting or authorizing some act; a permit.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. I. i. 16. The Governor or his Deputy gives his Chop or Pass to all Vessels that go up or down.
1711. C. Lockyer, Acc. Trade India, 35 (Y.). This [Oath, at Acheen] is administered by the Shabander … and it is called receiving the Chop for Trade.
1745. P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 300. Came on board a Chinese Interpreter, or Linguist, who brought with him a Chop, for our going over the Barr.
1771. Forster, trans. Osbeck’s Trav. China, I. 181 (Y.). With Tiapp or passports.
1802. Capt. Elmore, in Naval Chron., VIII. 382. The Hong merchant furnishes you with a chop to deliver your cargo.
1859. S. W. Williams, Chinese Comm. Guide, Grand chop, a ship’s port clearance.
b. Hence chop-boat, ‘a licensed lighter employed in the transportation of goods’; chop-house, ‘a custom-house where transient duties are levied’ (Williams, Chinese Comm. Guide).
1882. ‘Fan Kwae’ at Canton, 25 (Y.). On the edge of the river … were Chop houses … to prevent smuggling.
3. China trade. A mark on goods to declare their nature, quality, etc.; a trade-mark; hence, a particular ‘brand,’ sort or class of goods bearing the same trade-mark. Also attrib.
1828. in Webster.
1859. S. W. Williams, Chinese Comm. Guide, Chop of Tea, a number of boxes of the same make and quality of leaf.
1859. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Chop, a trade term in China for the entire bulk of a certain kind of tea brought to market, or the quantity made.
1861. Manchester Guardian, 11 Nov., 2/2. In China Silk … notwithstanding the continued small supply of ‘classical’ chops, the prices … have given way 6d.
1881. Manch. Courier, 12 Jan. The only special chop in request has been ‘hand and branch.’
4. Hence, Anglo-Ind. & colloq. First (second) chop: first (or other) rank, rate, position, quality, etc.; also attrib.
1823. C. W. Wynn, Lett., in Dk. Buckingham, Mem. Crt. Geo. IV. (1859), I. 478. I must make my table up with directors, military men, and such like second chop.
1837–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 7. It [a carriage] is a beautiful article—a real first chop—no mistake.
1848. Thackeray, Bk. Snobs, xxix. We are the first-chop of the world. Ibid., xl. They are a sort of second-chop dandies.
1872. Geo. Eliot, Middlem., xiii. (D.). You must be first chop in heaven, else you won’t like it much.
5. In China. ‘A hulk’ (Y.). [Of uncertain origin.]
1859. All Y. Round, No. 2. 38/1. He lives in a ‘chop’—a floating house like a two-storied City barge, but larger.
Hence Chop v. (nonce-wd.)
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 98 (Y.). The Custom-house has a good Front, where the chief Customer appears certain Hours to chop, that is to mark, Goods outward-bound.
