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 verb1 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 : chill4: snatch, steal5: to defeat by a small marginintransitive verb1: to move briskly, nimbly, or quickly2chiefly British : to make a quick trip