'Tinker' definitions:

Definition of 'tinker'

(from WordNet)
noun
A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts [syn: tinker, tinkerer]
noun
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
noun
Small mackerel found nearly worldwide [syn: chub mackerel, tinker, Scomber japonicus]
verb
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]
verb
Work as a tinker or tinkerer
verb
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]

Definition of 'Tinker'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Tinker'

From: 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]

Definition of 'Tinker'

From: 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]

Definition of 'tinker'

From: 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]

Synonyms of 'tinker'

From: Moby Thesaurus