tinker

• Nom désignant une personne qui bricole et expérimente avec des mécanismes et leurs pièces, ou historiquement un réparateur ambulant d'ustensiles en métal.

A noun referring to a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts, or historically a traveling mender of metal utensils.

1. Hobbyist fixerB2informal

   A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts.

   Bricoleur passionné

   • He's a tinker who loves taking apart old radios.
   • My grandfather was a tinker, always building gadgets in his shed.
   • She's a tinker at heart, constantly improving her bicycle.

   Synonymesfixerhandymanhobbyisttinkerer

2. Itinerant metal workerC1formalbritish

   Historically, a person (often a Gypsy) who traveled from place to place mending pots, kettles, and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living.

   Rétameur ambulant

   • The tinker arrived in the village with his cart full of tools.
   • In old stories, a tinker would fix broken pots for a small fee.
   • The tinker's trade has largely disappeared with modern manufacturing.

3. Small fishC2formal

   A small mackerel found nearly worldwide.

   Maquereau de petite taille

   • The tinker is a common catch for fishermen in coastal waters.
   • We grilled some fresh tinker for dinner.
   • Tinker mackerel are known for their oily flesh.

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action d'essayer de réparer ou d'améliorer quelque chose de manière expérimentale ou maladroite, souvent sans compétence particulière.

A verb used to indicate the act of attempting to repair or improve something in an experimental or unskilled way.

1. Engage in casual, unplanned workB2informal

   To spend time doing random, unplanned tasks or activities, often in a leisurely or idle manner.

   bricoler sans but précis

   • He spent the afternoon tinkering in the garage with no real goal.
   • She likes to tinker with old electronics just for fun.
   • Stop tinkering and focus on the main task.

   Synonymesdabblefiddlefool aroundmess aroundpotterputter

2. Work as a tinkerC1formalbritish

   To work as a traveling mender of household utensils, especially pots and pans.

   exercer le métier de rétameur

   • In the old days, he would tinker from village to village.
   • His grandfather used to tinker, fixing pots and kettles for a living.
   • The profession of tinkering has largely disappeared.

3. Attempt to repair or adjustB2informal

   To try to fix or mend something, often in a makeshift or experimental way.

   bricoler

   • He tinkered with the engine until it finally started.
   • She tinkered with the settings to improve the sound quality.
   • I managed to tinker the broken chair back together.

   Synonymesadjustdabblefiddlefixmesspatchpotterputterrepairtampertweak

   Antonymesdiscardignoreneglectscrap