Pronunciation: [nˈɪpɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "nipping" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈnɪpɪŋ/. The first sound is a short "I" pronounced as /ɪ/, followed by the letter "N" pronounced as /n/. The second syllable starts with the letter "P" pronounced as /p/, followed by the short "I" sound again, and ending with the letter "NG" pronounced as /ŋ/. This word means to pinch or snip something sharply or quickly.
Nipping, as a verb, refers to the act of biting or pinching someone or something quickly and lightly with the teeth. It is often associated with causing slight pain or discomfort without causing a serious injury. Nipping can also involve the act of cutting or trimming something swiftly and precisely, usually with a tool or sharp instrument. For example, when one nips a thread, they cut it off cleanly and effectively.
Furthermore, the term "nipping" can be used figuratively to describe something that is extremely cold or chilly. It indicates a sensation of biting coldness, typically experienced in cold weather or environments. This usage is commonly found in phrases like "nipping cold" or "nipping wind."
In addition, "nipping" can be an adjective that describes a person or animal with a tendency to bite or nip quickly. It suggests that the individual may engage in this behavior more frequently or readily compared to others.
Overall, the term "nipping" encompasses various meanings, involving biting or pinching, cutting or trimming with precision, and also referencing biting coldness. Its usage may differ depending on the context, but it typically conveys actions or sensations associated with quick, light, and often temporary impacts.
Sharp; chilling; removing by biting or cutting, as with the nails or teeth.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "nipping" is derived from the verb "nip", which has its origins in the Old English word "hnīpian". In Old English, "hnīpian" meant to pinch or squeeze tightly. Over time, the word evolved into "nip" in Middle English, which retained its original meaning of pinching or squeezing. Additionally, "nip" began to be used metaphorically to describe a sharp, cold sensation, like the feeling of being pinched by the cold. This metaphoric usage eventually gave rise to the term "nipping" to describe something that is bitterly cold or biting, often used to describe cold weather.
