nip
Nip is defined as to pinch or bite.
(verb)An example of to nip is for a kitten to give a little love bite while playing.
The definition of a nip is a small bite or sting, or a small amount of alcohol.
(noun)- An example of a nip is a small bite from a kitten.
- An example of a nip is a 1/4 shot of vodka.
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See nip in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb nipped, nipping
- to catch or squeeze between two surfaces, points, or edges; pinch or bite
- to sever (shoots, buds, etc.) by pinching or clipping
- to check the growth or development of
- to have a painful or injurious effect on because of cold: frost nipped the plants
- Slang
- to snatch
- to steal
Origin: ME nippen, prob. < MLowG nippen or ON hnippa < IE *kneib- (< base *ken-, to scrape) > Gr kniptos, stingy
intransitive verb
- to give a nip or nips
- Brit., Informal to move quickly or nimbly: with off, away, along, etc.
noun
- the act of nipping; pinch; bite
- a piece nipped off; small bit
- a stinging quality, as in cold or frosty air
- stinging cold; frost
- a stinging remark
- a strong flavor; tang
noun
Slang a Japanese: a term of contempt or derision
Origin: < Nip(ponese)
See nip in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb nipped nipped, nip·ping, nips verb, transitive
- To seize and pinch or bite: The fish nipped the wader's toe.
- To remove or sever by pinching or snipping: nipped off the plant leaf.
- To bite or sting with the cold; chill.
- To check or cut off the growth or development of: a conspiracy that was nipped in the bud by the police. See Synonyms at blast.
- Slang a. To snatch up hastily.b. To take (the property of another) unlawfully; steal.
Chiefly British
To move quickly; dart.
noun- The act or an instance of seizing or pinching.
- a. A pinch or snip that cuts off or removes a small part: He gave a small nip to each corner of the cloth.b. The small bit or portion so removed: There were nips of construction paper all over the child's table.
- a. A sharp, stinging quality, as of frosty air.b. Severely sharp cold or frost.
- A cutting remark.
- A sharp, biting flavor; a tang: the nip of Mexican salsa.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English nippen
Origin: , perhaps from Middle Dutch nipen
.noun
A small amount of liquor.
verb nipped nipped, nip·ping, nips verb, transitive To sip (alcoholic liquor) in small amounts: had been nipping brandy.
verb, intransitive To take a sip or sips of alcoholic liquor: nips all day long.
Origin:
Origin: Probably short for nipperkin
Origin: , of Dutch or Low German origin
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