From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Silversides \Sil"ver*sides`\, n. (Zool.)
Any one of several species of small fishes of the family
{Atherinidae}, having a silvery stripe along each side of the
body. The common species of the American coast ({Menidia
notata}) is very abundant. Called also {silverside}, {sand
smelt}, {friar}, {tailor}, and {tinker}.
[1913 Webster]
{Brook silversides} (Zool.), a small fresh-water North
American fish ({Labadesthes sicculus}) related to the
marine silversides.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Tinker \Tink"er\, n. [From {Tink}, because the tinker's way of
proclaiming his trade is to beat a kettle, or because in his
work he makes a tinkling noise. Johnson.]
1. A mender of brass kettles, pans, and other metal ware.
"Tailors and tinkers." --Piers Plowman.
[1913 Webster]
2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Zool.)
(a) A young mackerel about two years old.
(b) The chub mackerel.
(c) The silversides.
(d) A skate. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
5. (Zool.) The razor-billed auk.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Tinker \Tink"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tinkered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Tinkering}.]
To mend or solder, as metal wares; hence, more generally, to
mend.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Tinker \Tink"er\, v. i.
To busy one's self in mending old kettles, pans, etc.; to
play the tinker; to be occupied with small mechanical works.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
tinker
n 1: a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines
and their parts [syn: {tinker}, {tinkerer}]
2: formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from
place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal
utensils as a way to earn a living
3: small mackerel found nearly worldwide [syn: {chub mackerel},
{tinker}, {Scomber japonicus}]
v 1: do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
"The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house"
[syn: {putter}, {mess around}, {potter}, {tinker},
{monkey}, {monkey around}, {muck about}, {muck around}]
2: work as a tinker or tinkerer
3: try to fix or mend; "Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's
not working right"; "She always fiddles with her van on the
weekend" [syn: {tinker}, {fiddle}]
|
