nipping
UK: ˈnɪpɪŋ | US: ˈnɪpɪŋ
adj. 1. (of cold or wind) sharp and biting; intensely cold.
vt. 2. present participle of nip: to pinch, squeeze, or bite sharply.
The word nipping originates from the verb nip, which traces back to Middle English nippen, likely of Germanic origin (compare Dutch nippen "to sip," German nipfen). The core sense of "pinching" or "biting" evolved metaphorically to describe harsh cold ("biting wind"). The -ing suffix forms the present participle, used here adjectivally to emphasize the active, sharp quality of the cold.
A nipping wind made the winter hike unbearable.
She winced as the crab’s claw came nipping at her finger.
The gardener was nipping off dead leaves to encourage new growth.
Nipping frost threatened the early spring blossoms.
His nipping criticism left her feeling stung.