Obs. Forms: 3–4 clipes, 4 clepys, 4–6 clips, clyps(e, 4–7 clipse, clyppyce, -us, -es, 5–6 clippis, -ys, 6 clipps. An aphetic form of ECLIPSE sb., formerly common.
[So E.Fris. klips and klip sb.]
a. 1300. Cursor M., 16814 (Cott.). Þe clipes [Gött. esclepis] in son & moyne.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 135. Þis clips þat closeth now þe sonne.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 2052. Þe son of heuen Lost hase is clarite & hys clepys sufers.
1558. Phaër, Æneid, III. G j. Coribantes beat their brasse the moone from clips to cure.
1612. Shelton, Quix., II. iv. I. 80. He would tell us … the Clipse of the Sun and the Moon.
