blip
UK: /blɪp/ | US: /blɪp/
n. a short, sharp sound or signal (e.g., from electronic equipment)
n. a minor or temporary deviation (e.g., in data or performance)
n. a brief, insignificant event or interruption
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"Blip" is an onomatopoeic word imitating a short, abrupt sound, first recorded in the early 20th century. It emerged alongside technological advancements (e.g., radar, electronics) to describe sudden, high-pitched signals. The word’s playful phonetic structure (consonant-vowel-consonant) mirrors its meaning—quick and sharp. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to denote minor anomalies or fleeting events.
The radar screen showed a small blip near the coast.
There was a brief blip in the company’s quarterly profits.
The machine emitted a quiet blip every few seconds.
His mistake was just a blip in an otherwise flawless career.
The astronaut noticed an unexplained blip in the spacecraft’s data feed.