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