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nipper - 5 dictionary results

nip⋅per

[nip-er]
–noun
1. a person or thing that nips.
2. Usually, nippers. a device for nipping, as pincers or forceps.
3. one of the two large claws of a crustacean.
4. Metalworking. dog (def. 13).
5. nippers, Older Slang. handcuffs.
6. Informal.
a. a small boy.
b. Chiefly British. a costermonger's helper or assistant.
7. Nautical. a short rope for seizing an anchor cable to a messenger from a capstan.

Origin:
1525–35; nip 1 + -er 1

dog

[dawg, dog] noun, verb, dogged, dog⋅ging.
–noun
1. a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
2. any carnivore of the dogfamily Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears. Compare canid.
3. the male of such an animal.
4. any of various animals resembling a dog.
5. a despicable man or youth.
6. Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
7. dogs, Slang. feet.
8. Slang.
a. something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
b. an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
9. Slang. an ugly, boring, or crude person.
10. Slang. hot dog.
11. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
12. Machinery.
a. any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
b. a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
13. Also called gripper, nipper. Metalworking. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
14. a cramp binding together two timbers.
15. an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
16. an andiron; firedog.
17. Meteorology. a sundog or fogdog.
18. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
–verb (used with object)
19. to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound.
20. to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
21. Machinery. to fasten with dogs.
22. dog it, Informal.
a. to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job.
b. to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
23. go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
24. lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He maintained that he led a dog's life in the army.
25. let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
26. put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.

Origin:
bef. 1050; ME dogge, OE docga


dogless, adjective
doglike, adjective
nip·per   (nĭp'ər)   


(click for larger image in new window)
n.  
  1. A tool, such as pliers or pincers, used for squeezing or nipping. Often used in the plural.
  2. A pincerlike part, such as the large claw of a crustacean.
  3. Chiefly British A small boy.

Nipper

Nip"per\, n. 1. One who, or that which, nips.

2. A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are four in number.

3. A satirist. [Obs.] --Ascham.

4. A pickpocket; a young or petty thief. [Old Cant]

5. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The cunner. (b) A European crab (Polybius Henslowii).

Main Entry: nip·per
Pronunciation: 'nip-&r
Function: noun
1 : any of various devices (as pincers) for gripping, breaking, or cutting (asnails or cuticle) —usually used in plural
2 : an incisor of a horse; especially : one of the middle four incisors —compare CORNER TOOTH, DIVIDER
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