nose-nipper

nose-nipper (plural nose-nippers)

1. A facial attachment that is fitted with a clasp pinching the nose.
   • 1893, Archibald Sinclair, William Henry, Swimming, London: Longmans, Green and Co., page 102:

     I had the Arab diver with the nose-nipper alongside this morning, and told him to let me see how long he could remain under water, and I carefully timed him; one minute and forty-nine seconds, which is the longest dive on record on these banks or beds.

   • 1999, Deb Margolin, Of All the Nerve: Deb Margolin Solo, A&C Black, page 59:

     But TLC sold me this attractive little nose-nipper and it just fits right over my nose.

2. (in the plural) pince-nez
   • 1900, Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim, page v. 29:

     He saw the old man lift his head from some writing so sharp that his nose-nippers fell off...

• perpension