nipper

American  

[nip-er] / ˈnɪp ər /

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. Usually a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.

5. Older Slang. nippers, handcuffs.

6. Informal.

   1. a small boy.

   2. Chiefly British. a costermonger's helper or assistant.

7. Nautical. a short rope for seizing an anchor cable to a messenger from a capstan.

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nipper British  

/ ˈnɪpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that nips

2. the large pincer-like claw of a lobster, crab, or similar crustacean

3. informal a small child

4. a type of small prawn used as bait

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Etymology

Origin of nipper

First recorded in 1525–35; nip ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

When they were back at the same ground six years later to the day on Monday, a nipper of a third Test against India to win, the pace bowler did not realise the significance.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

My family recently got a new puppy, a strong-willed and mouthy but ultimately lovable little nipper.

From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2021

Then she snipped away part of the hoof wall with a nipper.

From Washington Times • Feb. 20, 2015

I'm pretty sure Nick Park saw this Tom and Jerry episode as a nipper.

From The Guardian • Aug. 23, 2012

This faun-like "nipper," Tree-perched, is tootling, tootling on, Though Pan be dead, Arcadia gone, And wild "Kazoos" are played upon By the cheap tripper.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105, September 16th, 1893 by Various