The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Silversides \Sil"ver*sides`\, n. (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of small fishes of the family
   Atherinidae, having a silvery stripe along each side of the
   body. The common species of the American coast (Menidia
   notata) is very abundant. Called also silverside, sand
   smelt, friar, tailor, and tinker.
   [1913 Webster]

   Brook silversides (Zool.), a small fresh-water North
      American fish (Labadesthes sicculus) related to the
      marine silversides.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinker \Tink"er\, n. [From Tink, because the tinker's way of
   proclaiming his trade is to beat a kettle, or because in his
   work he makes a tinkling noise. Johnson.]
   1. A mender of brass kettles, pans, and other metal ware.
      "Tailors and tinkers." --Piers Plowman.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. One skilled in a variety of small mechanical work.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Ordnance) A small mortar on the end of a staff.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Zool.)
      (a) A young mackerel about two years old.
      (b) The chub mackerel.
      (c) The silversides.
      (d) A skate. [Prov. Eng.]
          [1913 Webster]

   5. (Zool.) The razor-billed auk.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinker \Tink"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tinkered; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Tinkering.]
   To mend or solder, as metal wares; hence, more generally, to
   mend.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tinker \Tink"er\, v. i.
   To busy one's self in mending old kettles, pans, etc.; to
   play the tinker; to be occupied with small mechanical works.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tinker
    n 1: a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines
         and their parts [syn: tinker, tinkerer]
    2: formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from
       place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal
       utensils as a way to earn a living
    3: small mackerel found nearly worldwide [syn: chub mackerel,
       tinker, Scomber japonicus]
    v 1: do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
         "The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house"
         [syn: putter, mess around, potter, tinker,
         monkey, monkey around, muck about, muck around]
    2: work as a tinker or tinkerer
    3: try to fix or mend; "Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's
       not working right"; "She always fiddles with her van on the
       weekend" [syn: tinker, fiddle]