Collins English-English Dictionary

nip [nɪp]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to catch or tightly compress, as between a finger and the thumb; pinch

2. 2. vb [often foll by off] to remove by clipping, biting, etc

3. 3. vb [when intr, often foll by at] to give a small sharp bite (to)

   the dog nipped at his heels

4. 4. vb (esp of the cold) to affect with a stinging sensation

5. 5. vb to harm through cold

   the frost nipped the young plants

6. 6. vb to check or destroy the growth of (esp in the phrase nip in the bud)

7. 7. vb [slang] to steal

8. 8. vi. [intr; foll by along, up, out, etc] [Brit] [informal] to hurry; dart

9. 9. vi. [slang] [chiefly US and Canadian] to snatch

10. 10. n the act of nipping; a pinch, snip, etc

11. 11. n a frosty or chilly quality

12. 12. n severe frost or cold

    the first nip of winter

13. 13. n a small piece or quantity

    he went out for a nip of fresh air

14. 14. n a sharp flavour or tang

15. 15. n [archaic] a taunting remark

16. 16. n [Etymology] C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hnippa to prod

nip [nɪp]

1. 1. n a small drink of spirits; dram

2. 2. n [chiefly Brit] a measure of spirits usually equal to one sixth of a gill

3. 3. vb to drink (spirits), esp habitually in small amounts

4. 4. vb [Etymology] C18: shortened from nipperkin a vessel holding a half-pint or less, of uncertain origin; compare Dutch nippen to sip