ˈdipə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English dippere, a diving bird, from dippen to dip + -ere -er — more at dip I
1. : one that dips:
a. usually capitalized : a member of a religious sect that practices baptism by immersion : baptist , anabaptist , dunker
b. : a worker who dips articles into a processing solution (as cleaner, bleach, dye) or into a finishing solution (as color, glaze, paint) ; also : a worker who immerses animals in a dip
c. : a worker who builds up articles (as candles, candies, rubber gloves, match tips) by successive dipping into the forming solution
d. : one who only dips into a book
few bona fide readers but many dippers
e. : one who dips snuff
f. : one who dips from cups the gum exuded from pine trees in the making of turpentine
g. slang : pickpocket
2. : any of several birds notable for their skill in diving: as
a. : water ouzel
b. or dipper duck : bufflehead
3. : something that is used for dipping:
a. : a cup with a long handle for dipping liquids (as drinking water)
b. : the holder for immersing the collodionized glass plate in the silver bath in photoengraving
c. : a receptacle attachable to a palette for holding varnish or other medium
d. : the grab, bucket, or scoop of any of several kinds of excavating machines ; also : the machine itself
4. Britain : a switch for dimming automobile headlights