verb. (pugilists’).—To ward off; to parry.

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  1860.  Chambers’s Journal, xiii. 2 June, 347. He is initiated into all the mysteries of ‘hitting’ and ‘counter-hitting,’ ‘STOPPING’ and ‘infighting.’

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  d. 1870.  A. L. GORDON, In Utrumque Paratus. Don’t STOP with your head too frequently.

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  COLLOQUIALISMS.—TO STOP ONE’S MOUTH = to silence: spec. with a sop or bribe; TO STOP OUT (theatrical) = to cover teeth with black wax to make them invisible; TO STOP OFF (or OVER) = to make a break in a journey: also as subs., e.g., a STOP OFF in Philadelphia (American); STOP MY VITALS = ‘A silly Curse in use among the Beaux’ (B. E.); STOP THIEF (rhyming slang) = beef: see BEEF IT.

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  1628.  FORD, The Lover’s Melancholy, iv. 1.

          Amet.  Let repentance STOP YOUR MOUTH;
Learn to redeem your fault.

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  1673.  WYCHERLEY, The Gentleman Dancing-Master, v. 1. If you wou’d have her silent, STOP HER MOUTH with that ring.

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