dipstick

plural dipsticks · alternative dip-stick

1. A stick or rod used to measure the depth of a liquid. Often used to check the level at which a liquid in an opaque or inaccessible tank or reservoir stands; gauge.

   I haven't checked the oil level of my car's motor since I lost the dipstick three months ago.

2. derogatoryobsoleteAn exciseman or supervisor who measures with a dipstick.
3. slangThe penis.
4. derogatoryslangA useless person of inferior intellect; a dipshit.

   That referee is a right dipstick.

   1 more example

   “Outta the way, dipstick.” He middle-fingered the driver of a Mazda, who was hogging the passing lane, then zipped past, horn blaring, fist raised.

   2000, Douglas H. Young, chapter 45, in Downsized-Upsized: A Novel, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: New Directions Publishing House, page 311

present singular third person dipsticks · participle present dipsticking · participle past dipsticked · past dipsticked · alternative dip-stick

1. transitiveTo check (a person) for their understanding of something, as of a lesson, or attitude toward something.

   In private, Secretary Powell, an amateur automotive mechanic, complains that old friends spend too much time sympathetically taking his temperature — “dip-sticking me,” as he puts it.

   2002 July 25, Todd S. Purdum, “Embattled, Scrutinized, Powell Soldiers On”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   What most educators mean by “doing Madeline Hunter” is using her seven-step approach to planning a lesson. In Santa Barbara, as in most of her road shows, several hours are devoted to spelling out this technique, which calls for specific acts of review, introduction, explanation, “modeling” (demonstrating), “dipsticking” (checking for understanding), “monitored practice” and independent study.

   1990 August 12, David L. Kirp, “The classroom according to Hunter”, in Los Angeles Times

2. transitiveengineeringTo measure the level of a fluid using a dipstick.

   If one of the fuel gauges is inoperative (flight is not permitted if both have failed), the tanks have to be dipsticked before and after each fueling to confirm the aircraft's fuel status.