Main Entry: ¹nip

Pronunciation: \ˈnip\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): nipped; nip·ping

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

Date: 14th century

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 marginintransitive verb 1 : to move briskly, nimbly, or quickly
2 chiefly British : to make a quick trip