noun / verb

nip

NIP/nɪp/

A quick light bite, pinch, or clipping action.

A man nips a tender basil tip off with small scissors.

A man nips a tiny tender tip from a basil plant with small scissors, showing a light, precise cut rather than heavy pruning.

Etymology

nipMiddle Englishto pinch or bite sharply

Middle English nippen described a sharp pinch or sudden bite, an action also used to break off a tip. Its connection with similar Germanic verbs is probable, but the stem’s history is obscure.

In context

McCann Dog Training2:25

was when I would actually go to attach his house line to his collar. Initially, when we started, he would get really excited by that and he would try to nip and bite at my hands.

STOP Puppy Biting With A DIFFERENT Approach!!

More examples

The puppy gives my ankle a playful nip.
A small crab nipped my finger with its claw.
There is a nip in the morning air.

Forms

nip · nips · nipped · nipping

nippers noun — Small pincers used for gripping or cutting.

Similar words

bite: Can be harder or more sustained than a quick nip.
pinch: Specifically squeezes something between two surfaces, often fingers.
snip: Specifically cuts with scissors, rather than biting or pinching.