Nippy
/ˈnɪpi/noun
Chilly or biting in temperature; also quick or lively in movement.
Did you know?The adjective *nippy* is a later formation from *nip*, which may be imitative in origin, so its “bite” is built right into the sound of the word.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
nippian
“to pinch, nip, or bite sharply”
Middle English
ME
nippen
“to pinch, bite, or make numb with cold”
16th Century
English
nippy
“biting, sharply cold”
19th Century
English
nippy
“quick, brisk, lively”
Modern English
English
nippy
“slightly cold; brisk or lively”