n. [ Cf. W. chwip a quick flirt or turn, chwipio to whip, to move briskly, and E. whip. Cf. Quib, Quibble. ] 1. A smart, sarcastic turn or jest; a taunt; a severe retort; a gibe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was full of joke and jest,
But all his merry quips are o'er. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A short humorous or witty comment or observation, usually spontaneously formed in response to a prior comment. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Quipped p. pr. & vb. n. Quipping ] To taunt; to treat with quips. [ 1913 Webster ]

The more he laughs, and does her closely quip. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To scoff; to use taunts. Sir H. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Quipu. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A person who frequently makes quips. [ PJC ]

‖n.; pl. Quipus [ Peruv. quipu a knot. ] A contrivance employed by the ancient Peruvians, Mexicans, etc., as a substitute for writing and figures, consisting of a main cord, from which hung at certain distances smaller cords of various colors, each having a special meaning, as silver, gold, corn, soldiers. etc. Single, double, and triple knots were tied in the smaller cords, representing definite numbers. It was chiefly used for arithmetical purposes, and to register important facts and events. [ Written also quipo. ] Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mysterious science of the quipus . . . supplied the Peruvians with the means of communicating their ideas to one another, and of transmitting them to future generations. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]