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Meaning of nip in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /nɪp/

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  1. Verb

    nip

    Etymology

    late Middle English: probably of Low German or Dutch origin

    Definitions

    1. squeeze tightly between the fingers

    Examples

    • « He pinched her behind »
    • « She squeezed the bottle »
  2. 2. give a small sharp bite to

    Examples

    • « The Queen's corgies always nip at her staff's ankles »
  3. 3. sever or remove by pinching or snipping

    Examples

    • « nip off the flowers »
  4. Noun

    nip

    Etymology

    late 18th century (originally denoting a half-pint of ale): probably an abbreviation of the rare term nipperkin ‘small measure’; compare with Low German and Dutch nippen‘to sip’

    Definitions

    1. a small drink of liquor

    Examples

    • « he poured a shot of whiskey »
  5. 2. a person of Japanese descent
  6. 3. a tart spiciness
  7. 4. a small drink
  8. 5. small sharp biting

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