nip

¹nip

verb \ˈnip\

nippednip·ping

Definition of NIP

transitive verb

1

a : to catch hold of and squeeze tightly between two surfaces, edges, or points : pinch, bite <the dog nipped his ankle> b : to pinch in (as a garment) <a dress nipped at the waist>

2

a : to sever by or as if by pinching sharply b : to destroy the growth, progress, or fulfillment of <nipped in the bud>

3

: to injure or make numb with cold : chill

4

: snatch, steal

5

: to defeat by a small margin

intransitive verb

1

: to move briskly, nimbly, or quickly

2

chiefly British : to make a quick trip

Origin of NIP

Middle English nippen; akin to Middle Dutch nipen to pinch, Old Norse hnippa to prod

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with NIP

blip, chip, clip, dip, drip, flip, grip, grippe, gyp, hip, kip, lip, pip, quip, rip, scrip, ship, sip, skip, slip, snip, strip, tip, trip, whip, yip, zip