subs. (colloquial).—A triumph in horses, men, or women; a splendid man; a brilliant or very stylish woman; an admirable horse. [From CLIPPER, = a vessel built with a view to fast sailing; previous to which the term was applied to a hack for the road.]
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 1 S., ch. xv. A perfect pictur’ of a horse, and a genuine CLIPPER; could gallop like the wind.
1846. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair, ch. xvi. You have head enough for both of us, Beck, said he. You’re sure to get us out of the scrape. I never saw your equal, and I’ve met with some CLIPPERS in my time, too.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I., p. 133. They [wild ducks] come over here when the weather’s a CLIPPER; for you see cold weather suits some birds and kills others.
