Dictionary

tink en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• [ˈtʰɪŋk]
• /ˈtɪŋk/

Etymology

From Middle English tinken, possibly from Old English *tincian, equivalent to tin + -k. Compare Dutch tinken (“to tink, toll, strike the bells of a clock”), German Low German tinken (“to tink”). Compare also English ting.

Meanings

1. (dated) A sharp, quick sound; a tinkle.

Forms

tink en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• [ˈtʰɪŋk]
• /ˈtɪŋk/

Etymology

From Middle English tinken, possibly from Old English *tincian, equivalent to tin + -k. Compare Dutch tinken (“to tink, toll, strike the bells of a clock”), German Low German tinken (“to tink”). Compare also English ting.

Meanings

1. To emit a high-pitched sharp or metallic noise.
   • Jimmy heard the bells tink.

Forms

Relateds

tingle

Synonyms

tinkle

tink en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• [ˈtʰɪŋk]
• /ˈtɪŋk/

Etymology

knit spelled backwards.

Meanings

1. (slang, transitive) To unknit.
   • Stanley knitted when he should have purled and swore, tinking the knitting back to fix the flaw. 2012, Amy Lane, A Knitter in His Natural Habitat, page 48:
   • If the stitch you need to fix is on the last or previous row, a bit of unknitting, or “tinking” as it is known by some knitters, is all that is needed to get back to the point where you can mend your mistake. 2006, Heather Dixon, Not Your Mama's Knitting, page 89:

Forms

tink en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio
• [ˈtʰɪŋk]
• /ˈtɪŋk/

Etymology

Shortened from tinker.

Meanings

1. (Ireland, UK, offensive) A member of the travelling community. A gypsy.
   • 'Well, you should feel right at home,' Flannigan said. 'You love a bit of thieving, you and the rest of the fucken tinks you grew up with in the Emerald Toilet.' 2015, Andrew O'Hagan, The Illuminations, →ISBN, page 47:
   • 'Most have white eyes, which ain't natural in any beast, tame or wild, and they are considered unlucky - the tinks calls 'em moonpies, and most will avoid settling on farms where they are kept. 2000, David Brian Plummer, Merle: The Start of Dynasty, →ISBN, page 11:
   • Her family had a name that marked them out as tinks, only they weren't tinks anymore. 2014, Alastair Macleod, The Traveller's Tale, →ISBN:

Forms