griper
(ˈgraɪpə(r))
[f. gripe v.1 + -er1.]
† 1. One who grasps. Obs.
| 1676 Wiseman Surg. vi. ii. 452 Suppose the uneasie posture, and the long griping tires the Griper. |
2. One who oppresses people by extortionate or niggardly methods; an extortioner. Now rare.
| 1587 Harrison England ii. iii. (1877) i. 88 Our noble universities, whose lands some greedie gripers doo gape wide for. 1647 Trapp Comm. Matt. ix. 9 They were great gripers, and exacted extremely upon the Jews. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Gripe, or Griper, an old Covetous Wretch. Also a Banker, Money Scrivener, or Usurer. 1823 in Spirit Publ. Jrnls. (1824) 533 Southey's sackbut tunes the praise of every Royal griper. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. xiv, That foxey old grasper and griper. |
† 3. A person or thing that distresses or inflicts pain. Obs.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. xxix. (1878) 68 Winter..a griper of all things and specially age. 1602 Narcissus (1893) 420 Love's a griper. |
† 4. An instrument of torture. Obs.
| 1598 Florio, Catollo, a tormenting instrument called a griper or pincher. |
† 5. A canine tooth. Obs.
| 1600 Surflet Country Farme vii. xxxvii. 865 With pincers..break al the teeth of the neather iaw, wherein the great gripers stand. |
† 6. A griping medicine. Obs.
| 1766 [Anstey] Bath Guide iv. 82 Tho' I've taken a Griper I'll venture to peck at the Dory and Piper. |
7. One who complains. U.S. slang. Cf. gripe v.1 10.
| 1937 Amer. Speech XII. 315/2 Radio lacks a word to describe the disgruntled listener... Griper is not precise enough. 1938 Ibid. XIII. 315/2 Griper, a customer that always finds fault. |