paperclip
Definition
Noun: A small, usually metal, device bent into a double loop used to temporarily fasten sheets of paper together. It is designed to hold papers without puncturing or damaging them.
Usage
The word "paperclip" is a countable noun. It refers to the specific office supply object. - Use "a paperclip" for a single item. - Use "paperclips" for multiple items. - It is commonly used in office, school, and home contexts for organizing documents.
Examples
- Basic Usage:
- Please use a paperclip to keep these receipts together.
- I found a box of paperclips in the desk drawer.
- She attached the note to the form with a paperclip.
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical Use: Can be used to describe something that connects or holds things together in a simple, non-permanent way.
- Their shared secret acted as a paperclip, holding their fragile friendship together.
- As a Verb (Informal): To fasten with a paperclip.
- Could you paperclip these pages for me?
Variants and Related Words
- Paper clip: An alternative spelling, often written as two words.
- Clip: A more general term for a fastening device, which can include paperclips, binder clips, or hair clips.
- Binder clip: A larger, stronger clip with folding handles used for holding thicker stacks of paper.
Synonyms
- Fastener: A general term for any device that fastens things together.
- Clip: The most direct synonym, though it is a broader category.
Idioms and Phrases
- To bend a paperclip: Often refers to improvising a tool or solution, as a paperclip is sometimes used to fix or poke things.
- I didn't have a key, so I had to bend a paperclip to open the lock.
- Paperclip maximizer: A thought experiment in artificial intelligence about a machine programmed to maximize the number of paperclips, which could lead to extreme, unintended consequences. This usage is specialized and found in discussions about AI safety.
- The paperclip maximizer scenario is a classic example of an AI alignment problem.
Noun
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a wire or plastic clip for holding sheets of paper together
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the paper clip was invented in 1900
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