tinker

Meanings

1. An itinerant tinsmith and mender of household utensils made of metal.
2. A member of the Irish Traveller community or of other itinerant groups; a gypsy.
3. A mischievous person, especially a playful, impish youngster.
4. Someone who repairs, or attempts repair, on anything mechanical, or who invents such devices; one who tinkers; a tinkerer.
5. An act of repair or invention.
6. A hand mortar.
7. Any of various fish: chub mackerel, silverside, skate, or young mackerel about two years old.
8. A razor-billed auk, a bird of species (Alca torda).

1. To work as a tinker.
2. To fiddle with something in an attempt to fix, mend or improve it, especially in an experimental or unskilled manner.

1. A northern English surname originating as an occupation for someone who mends pots and pans.

Etymology

From Middle English tynkere, perhaps from Old English *tincere, from tin (“tin”) + *cere, as in bēocere (“beekeeper”).