▪ I. tinkering, vbl. n.
(ˈtɪŋkərɪŋ)
[f. tinker v. + -ing1.]
The work of a tinker; the action of tinker v. (in lit. and fig. senses).
| 1592 R. D. Hypnerotomachia 48 b, What a stately porche..with his stone of Phenicea with all the tinkering and pullishing about it. 1753 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) II. 478, I left the tinkering of the bill. 1857 Borrow Romany Rye (1905) II. App. v. 328 He [the Gipsy] took to tinkering and smithery, because no better employments were at his command. 1885 Athenæum 14 Feb. 221 A very good [picture]..free from any after-meddling and tinkering. |
| attrib. 1813 Examiner 1 Feb. 72/1 The terrible tinkering work there must be. 1841 Hood Tale of Trumpet xxxviii, Or Trudge and his ass at a tinkering job. |
▪ II. ˈtinkering, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That tinkers (in lit. and fig. senses): see the vb.
| 1598 Marston Sco. Villanie (1599) 167 Fidlers, scriueners, pedlers, tynkering knaues. 1818 Byron Juan Ded. xiv, A tinkering slave-maker, who mends old chains. 1880 E. White Cert. Relig. 44 A purblind tinkering criticism. |