释义 |
nip·per I. \ˈnipə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: nip (I) + -er 1. : any of various devices for nipping: as a. : small pincers that are used for gripping, breaking, or cutting — usually used in plural b. : long slender-nosed pliers or pincers used for seizing the end of a key in a lock to turn it — usually used in plural c. : a device for squeezing tar from rope yarn d. nippers plural : handcuffs or leg irons e. : a grab for seizing heavy objects (as large stones) for hauling or hoisting f. nippers plural : eyeglasses; specifically : pince-nez g. nippers plural : a nail or cuticle cutter with short curved blades h. : a short selvagee or sennit for securing a nautical hemp cable temporarily to a messenger to assist in the raising of an anchor i. (1) : a power press that compresses the leaves of books during the binding process by means of momentary pressure (2) : a small hand press used to compress single books or mounted material 2. a. : an incisor of a horse; especially : one of the middle four incisors b. : one of the large claws or pincers of a crab or lobster 3. chiefly Britain a. : a boy employed as a helper (as of a carter or hawker) b. : child, kid < from fat, solemn babies … to nippers of nine or ten — Gavin Casey > 4. a. : cunner b b. or nipper crab : a European crab (Polybius henslowii) c. Australia (1) : prawn (2) : snapping shrimp 5. a. (1) : a workman who assists miners (as by distributing drill steel or carrying blasting powder) (2) : one that tends ventilation doors in a mine (3) : brakeman 1a(2) b. : a workman who holds up railroad ties to the rails with a bar or other tool while the rails are being spiked in place 6. : a thick band or mitten worn by deep-sea fishermen to protect the hand from the lines II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) : to secure (a ship's cable) with nippers : rack 7 |