tinsnips, n. pl.
Also tin snips.
[f. tin n. + snip n. 8 (pl.).]
A pair of hand-held clippers used for cutting (sheet) metal. Cf. tinmen's snips s.v. tinman 2.
| 1944 Living off Land vii. 131 Materials required are: four sound kerosene tins, tin snips, soldering-iron and flux. 1947 J. Conroy Midland Humor 182 Ain't you got no tinsmiths in this town?.. Get a pair of tinsnips, extra large. 1964 C. Willock Enormous Zoo v. 85 Our work..consisted of cutting off lengths of heavy gauge wire with tin snips. 1976 Conservation News Sept./Oct. 24/1 As a parent I am very wary of allowing a child not considered competent at fixing an electric plug to be playing about with tin snips. |