nibble

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈnɪbl̩/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈnɪb(ə)l/ Rhymes: -ɪbəl Hyphenation: nib‧ble === Etymology 1 === The verb is derived from Late Middle English nebillen, nebyll (“to peck away at (something), nibble; (figurative) to attempt to sing (a part of a song)”); further etymology uncertain, possibly from Middle Low German nibbelen (“to eat in small bites, peck”) (modern German Low German nibbeln, gnibbeln, knibbeln), possibly a variant of knabbelen, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gnet- (“to press”) or imitative. The noun is derived from the verb. ==== Verb ==== nibble (third-person singular simple present nibbles, present participle nibbling, simple past and past participle nibbled) (transitive) To take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, of (something). Synonym: (chiefly Southern and Western England) nab To lightly bite (a person or animal, or part of their body), especially in a loving or playful manner; to nip. To make (a hole in something) through small bites. To make (one's way) through or while taking small bites. Chiefly followed by into or to: to cause (something) to be in a certain state through small bites. Followed by away, off, etc.: to remove (something) through small bites. To remove (small pieces) from glass, tile, etc., with a tool; also, to remove small pieces from (glass, tile, etc.) with a tool. (obsolete) To fidget or play with (something), especially with the fingers or hands. (slang) To catch (someone); to nab. (slang) To steal (something); to pilfer. (intransitive) Chiefly followed by at, away, or on: to take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites; to eat (at frequent intervals) with small, quick bites. Synonyms: (obsolete) knabble, (chiefly Southern and Western England) nab, (Southern US) piddle To lightly bite, especially in a loving or playful manner. (figurative) Chiefly followed by at: to show slight interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal. Followed by away at: to reduce or use up gradually; to eat. (cricket, informal) Followed by at: of a batter: to make an indecisive attempt to bat a ball bowled outside the off stump. (road transport) Synonym of tramline (“of a vehicle: to tend to follow the contours of the ground with its wheels”). (obsolete) To fidget or play, especially with the fingers or hands. Chiefly followed by at: to make insignificant complaints; to carp, to cavil, to find fault. Synonym: niggle (slang) To engage in sexual intercourse. Synonym: niggle ===== Conjugation ===== ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== nibble (plural nibbles) An act of taking a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, especially with the front teeth; the bite or bites so taken. A light bite of a person or animal, or part of their body, especially one which is loving or playful; a nip. An amount of food that is or can be taken into the mouth through a small bite; a small mouthful. (figurative) A slight show of interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal. (obsolete, rare) Grass or other vegetation eaten by livestock; forage, pasturage. ===== Derived terms ===== nibble fish nibbles (“small forms of finger food or snacks”, plural only) nibbly (noun) niblet ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === A pun on the homophony of byte and bite. ==== Noun ==== nibble (plural nibbles) (computing) A unit of memory equal to half a byte, or chiefly four bits. ===== Usage notes ===== A nibble is now universally regarded as equivalent to four bits, but historically it was sometimes equivalent to other numbers of bits. ===== Alternative forms ===== nybble, nybl ===== Translations ===== === References === === Further reading === nibble on Wikipedia.Wikipedia nibble (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia == Portuguese == === Etymology === Unadapted borrowing from English nibble. === Noun === nibble m (plural nibbles) (computing) nibble (half a byte)