nipping

[ nip-ing ]

/ ˈnɪp ɪŋ /

adjective

sharp or biting, as cold.

sarcastic; caustic.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nipping

First recorded in 1540–50; nip¹ + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM nipping

nip·ping·ly, adverb

Words nearby nipping

nipigon, nipissing, nipmuck, nipper, nippers, nipping, nipple, nipple line, nipple shield, nipplewort, nippon

Definition for nipping (2 of 3)

nip¹

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

to squeeze or compress tightly between two surfaces or points; pinch; bite.

to take off by pinching, biting, or snipping (usually followed by off): He nipped off a piece of steak and gave it to the dog.

to check in growth or development.

to affect sharply and painfully or injuriously, as a very cold temperature: a cold wind that nips the fingers.

Informal. to snatch away suddenly.

Informal. to defeat (an opponent) by a very close margin; edge.

Informal. to steal or pilfer.

Nautical.

(of ice) to press (a ship) from opposite sides.
to seize (a taut rope) to another rope.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

Chiefly British Slang. to leave stealthily; sneak away; flee (often followed by away).

noun

an act of nipping; a pinch or small bite: The dog took several nips at our heels.

a biting quality, as in cold or frosty air: There's a nip in the air this morning.

sharp cold; a sharp touch of frost: The trees had felt the first nip of winter.

a sharp or biting remark.

a biting taste or tang, especially in some cheese.

a small bit or quantity of anything: a nip of bread to stave off hunger.

Nautical.

an abrupt turn or twist in a rope.
a part of a rope or chain bound by a seizing or nipper.

Usually nips. nipper(def 2).

Origin of nip

1350–1400; Middle English nyppe to pinch < Old Norse hnippa to poke, thrust

SYNONYMS FOR nip

4 freeze, bite, pierce, cut, chill.

Definition for nipping (3 of 3)

nip²

[ nip ]

/ nɪp /

noun

a small drink of alcoholic liquor; sip: a person who relishes an occasional nip.

Chiefly British. split(def 27).

verb (used with or without object), nipped, nip·ping.

to drink (alcoholic liquor) in small sips, especially repeatedly.

Origin of nip

1690–1700; < Dutch nippen to sip; in def. 2, short for earlier nipperkin vessel holding half-pint or less

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for nipping

It is your best shot at nipping any future wedding invites (and accompanying airfare to Missouri) in the bud.
The First-World Anarchist’s Guide to Weddings|Kelly Williams Brown|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While Michael Jackson had younger sister Janet nipping at his heels with Grammy Awards and gold records, Whitney stood alone.
Whitney’s Shadow Hangs Over Painful, Intrusive ‘Houstons’ Reality Show|Allison Samuels|October 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This source and others pointed to the site JustJared as nipping at Hilton's heels as a music industry influencer.
Has Perez Lost His Touch?|Peter Lauria|June 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Heading into the fourth day of competition, upstart Wall Street Journal was nipping at the heels of the Gray Lady.
Newspaper Wars: The Times vs. The Journal, Day 4|Harold Evans|April 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The key to nipping negative cycles in the bud is doing recovery activities in the right order.
The Holiday Overeating Myths|Susan B. Roberts|November 24, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He snapped the ball, however, to Mylert, nipping Berry at the plate.
Baseball Joe in the World Series|Lester Chadwick
They sent the refreshing rain, the silent dew, and the nipping frost, each in its season.
Story Hour Readings: Seventh Year|E.C. Hartwell
The wind began to blow hard, carrying drops of rain that stung, and the air was nipping cold.
Tales of lonely trails|Zane Grey
It was a nipping frosty air, but Baldassarre could feel no chill—he only felt the glow of conscious power.
Romola|George Eliot
He varied these occasions by reaching down and nipping a tuft of grass.
The Rainbow Trail|Zane Grey

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (1 of 4)

nipping

/ (ˈnɪpɪŋ) /

adjective

sharp and bitinga nipping wind

sarcastic; bitter

Derived forms of nipping

nippingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (2 of 4)

Nip

/ (nɪp) /

noun

slang a derogatory word for a Japanese

Word Origin for Nip

C20: short for Nipponese

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (3 of 4)

nip¹

/ (nɪp) /

verb nips, nipping or nipped (mainly tr)

to catch or tightly compress, as between a finger and the thumb; pinch

(often foll by off) to remove by clipping, biting, etc

(when intr, often foll by at) to give a small sharp bite (to)the dog nipped at his heels

(esp of the cold) to affect with a stinging sensation

to harm through coldthe frost nipped the young plants

to check or destroy the growth of (esp in the phrase nip in the bud)

slang to steal

(intr; foll by along, up, out, etc) British informal to hurry; dart

slang, mainly US and Canadian to snatch

noun

the act of nipping; a pinch, snip, etc

a frosty or chilly quality
severe frost or coldthe first nip of winter

a small piece or quantityhe went out for a nip of fresh air

a sharp flavour or tang

archaic a taunting remark

nip and tuck

mainly US and Canadian neck and neck
informal plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons

put the nips in Australian and NZ slang to exert pressure on someone, esp in order to extort money

Word Origin for nip

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hnippa to prod

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (4 of 4)

nip²

/ (nɪp) /

noun

a small drink of spirits; dram

mainly British a measure of spirits usually equal to one sixth of a gill

verb nips, nipping or nipped

to drink (spirits), esp habitually in small amounts

Word Origin for nip

C18: shortened from nipperkin a vessel holding a half-pint or less, of uncertain origin; compare Dutch nippen to sip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

nipping

adjective

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of nipping

OTHER WORDS FROM nipping

Words nearby nipping

Definition for nipping (2 of 3)

verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

noun

Origin of nip

SYNONYMS FOR nip

Definition for nipping (3 of 3)

noun

verb (used with or without object), nipped, nip·ping.

Origin of nip

Example sentences from the Web for nipping

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (1 of 4)

adjective

Derived forms of nipping

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (2 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for Nip

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (3 of 4)

verb nips, nipping or nipped (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for nip

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (4 of 4)

noun

verb nips, nipping or nipped

Word Origin for nip

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

nipping

adjective

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Origin of nipping

OTHER WORDS FROM nipping

Words nearby nipping

Definition for nipping (2 of 3)

verb (used with object), nipped, nip·ping.

verb (used without object), nipped, nip·ping.

noun

Origin of nip

SYNONYMS FOR nip

Definition for nipping (3 of 3)

noun

verb (used with or without object), nipped, nip·ping.

Origin of nip

Words related to nipping

Example sentences from the Web for nipping

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (1 of 4)

adjective

Derived forms of nipping

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (2 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for Nip

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (3 of 4)

verb nips, nipping or nipped (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for nip

British Dictionary definitions for nipping (4 of 4)

noun

verb nips, nipping or nipped

Word Origin for nip