Nip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nipped less properly Nipt; p. pr. & vb. n. Nipping ]
 1. To catch and inclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon.
 May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell,
 Down, down, and close again, and nip me flat,
 If I be such a traitress.   --Tennyson.
 2. To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting with two meeting edges of anything; to clip.
    The small shoots . . . must be nipped off.   --Mortimer.
 3. Hence: To blast, as by frost; to check the growth or vigor of; to destroy.
 4. To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to taunt.
    And sharp remorse his heart did prick and nip.   --Spenser.
 To nip in the bud, to cut off at the very commencement of growth; to kill in the incipient stage.