Tinker

tinker
    n 1: a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines
         and their parts [syn: {tinker}, {tinkerer}]
    2: 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
    3: small mackerel found nearly worldwide [syn: {chub mackerel},
       {tinker}, {Scomber japonicus}]
    v 1: 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}]
    2: work as a tinker or tinkerer
    3: 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}]
    

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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   2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
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   3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.
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   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]
    

76 Moby Thesaurus words for "tinker":
      cobble, cobbler, commission, condition, coquet, dabble, dally,
      darn, do up, doctor, doodle, fiddle, fiddle with, fiddle-faddle,
      fidget with, finger with, fix, fix up, fixer, flirt, fool,
      fool around, fool with, fribble, frivol, horse around, idle,
      jerk off, kid around, little Miss Fixit, loiter, maintenance man,
      mechanic, mechanician, meddle, mend, mender, mess, mess around,
      monkey, monkey around, overhaul, patch, patch up, piddle, play,
      play around, play with, potter, puddle, put in commission,
      put in order, put in repair, put in shape, putter, ready, recap,
      recondition, renovator, repair, repairer, repairman, restorer,
      retread, service, serviceman, set to rights, sew up, smatter,
      tinker up, toy, toy with, trifle, trouble man, troubleshooter,
      twiddle