nip1
v.
(nips, nipping, nipped)
- pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply.
▸
(nip something off)
remove something by pinching or squeezing sharply.
- (of the cold or frost) cause pain or harm to.
- Brit. informal go quickly.
- US informal steal or snatch.
n.
- an act of nipping.
- a feeling of biting cold.
Phrase
- nip something in the bud
suppress or destroy something at an early stage.
Etymology
ME: prob. of Low Ger. or Du. origin.
nip2
n.
a small quantity or sip of spirits.
v.
(nips, nipping, nipped)
take a sip of spirits.
Etymology
C18: prob. an abbrev. of the rare term nipperkin ‘small measure’.