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