nipper

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   informal, chiefly British: a young child

   He had worked on the farm ever since he was a nipper.

2. 2
   noun

   a claw or pincer of a crab, lobster, or similar animal

   The crab closed one nipper around the bait.

3. 3
   noun

   a tool or device used for gripping, pinching, or cutting

   The mechanic reached for a nipper to cut the wire.

Formed from nip + -er, literally something that nips. It first named gripping claws and tools; the informal child sense treats a small, lively youngster as a little nipper.

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