Tinking

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. A light, sharp sound resembling a small metallic object striking another
2. a term often used to describe the gentle noise made by thin metal instruments when they come into contact
3. an informal expression for the act of tinkering or making small adjustments with tools and machinery

Etymology: "Tinking" is the present participle and gerund of "tink," a verb meaning to tinker or make small adjustments with tools and machinery. The verb "tink" is shortened from "tinker," so the form is a clipping: the familiar word lost its final syllable, and the result went on to take its own inflections. Tink" itself is much older than the clipping. It goes back to Middle English "tinken," and it may come from an Old English verb "tincian," which is reconstructed rather than attested. Its sense was originally sonic: a light ringing or tinkling, as of small bells. Dutch "tinken," used of bells and clocks striking, and Low German "tinken" preserve that older meaning, and English "ting" is a related imitative sound. The mechanical sense of tinkering developed from the older verb "tinker" and was later reduced to "tink."

Synonyms: tinkling, jingling, ringing, clinking