Nip Definition

Nip
noun

1. offensive
A Japanese person.

Etymology: 1940s: short for Nipponese.

---

nip¹
verb nipped, nipping

1. To pinch or squeeze something or someone sharply.

Thesaurus: clip, compress, grip, pinch, tweak.
2. To give a sharp little bite to something.
3. To remove or sever it by pinching or biting.

Form: nip off something (often)
tr & intr
4. To sting; to cause smarting.
5. To halt the growth or development of something.

Example: nip it in the bud
(N Amer)
6. colloq
To snatch something.

noun

1. A pinch or squeeze.
2. A sharp little bite.
3. A sharp biting coldness, or stinging quality.

Etymology: 14c: from Norse hnippa to poke.

Phrasal Verb: nip off, away or round

To go off, away, or round, etc quickly.
Example: nip round to the shop

---

nip²
noun

1. A small quantity of alcoholic spirits.

Example: a nip of brandy
Thesaurus: dram, draft, finger, mouthful, portion, sip, slug (US slang), snifter, taste.

Etymology: 18c: from Dutch nippen to sip.