Hypertext Webster Gateway: "tinker"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Silversides \Sil"ver*sides`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small fishes of the family
{Atherinid[ae]}, 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}.
{Brook silversides} (Zo["o]l.), a small fresh-water North
American fish ({Labadesthes sicculus}) related to the
marine silversides.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.
4. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A young mackerel about two years old.
(b) The chub mackerel.
(c) The silversides.
(d) A skate. [Prov. Eng.]
5. (Zo["o]l.) The razor-billed auk.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
tinker
n 1: someone who is employed to repair broken things [syn: {mender}]
2: small mackerel found nearly worldwide [syn: {chub mackerel},
{Scomber japonicus}]
v : 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}, {monkey},
{monkey around}, {muck about}, {muck around}]
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