To cut, bite or pinch off the end or nib, or to pinch off with the ends of the fingers. The word is used in both senses; the former is probably the true sense. Hence,

To cut off the end of any thing; to clip, as with a knife or scissors; as, to nip off a shoot or twig.

To blast; to kill or destroy the end of any thing; hence, to kill; as, the frost has nipped the corn; the leaves are nipped; the plant was nipped int he bud. Hence, to nip in the bud, is to kill or destroy in infancy or youth, or in the first stage of growth.

To pinch, bite or affect the extremities of any thing; as a nipping frost; hence, to pinch or bite in general; to check growth.

To check circulation. When blood is nipt.

To bite; to vex. And sharp remorse his heart did prick and nip.

To satirize keenly; to taunt sarcastically.

A pinch with the nails or teeth.

A small cut, or a cutting off the end.

A blast; a killing of the ends of plants; destruction by frost.

A biting sarcasm; a taunt.

A sip or small draught; as a nip of toddy.