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. Zool. (a)
A young mackerel about two years old.
(b)
The chub mackerel.
(c)
The silversides.
(d)
A skate.
[Prov. Eng.]
5. Zool.
The razor-billed auk.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.