tinker

English

/ˈtɪŋkə(ɹ)/, /ˈtɪŋkɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • An itinerant tinsmith and mender of household utensils made of metal.
  • (dated) A member of the Irish Traveller community. A gypsy.
  • (usually with "little") A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.
  • Someone who repairs, or attempts repair, on anything mechanical, or who invents such devices; one who tinkers; a tinkerer.
  • The act of repair or invention.
  • (military) A hand mortar.
  • Any of various fish: the , the silverside, the skate, or a young mackerel about two years old.
  • A bird, the razor-billed auk.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English tinkere inherited from Old English *tincere, *cere derived from Proto-Germanic *kazjaz (vessel-maker), *kazą (vessel, tub, vat, container).

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*kazą

Gloss

vessel, tub, vat, container

Kanji

器

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms