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Noun: tinker  ting-ku(r)
  1. Formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who travelled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living
     
  2. Small mackerel found nearly worldwide
    - chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus
     
  3. A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
    - tinkerer
Verb: tinker  ting-ku(r)
  1. Do random, unplanned work, activities or spend time idly
    "The old lady is usually tinkering in her little house";
    - putter [N. Amer], mess around, potter [Brit], monkey around [informal], muck about [Brit, informal], muck around [Brit, informal]
     
  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";
    - fiddle

Derived forms: tinkered, tinkering, tinkers

Type of: bushel [US], do work, doctor [informal], experimenter, fix, furbish up, gipsy, gypsy, itinerant, mackerel, mend, repair, restore, touch on, work

Part of: genus Scomber, Scomber

Encyclopedia: Tinker, Tailor