[nick.el] also nick.le n [prob. fr. Sw nickel, fr. G Kupfernickel niccolite, prob. fr. Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; fr. the deceptive copper color of niccolite] (1755) 1: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst
2. a (1): the U.S. 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper (2): the Canadian 5-cent piece b: five cents
3: a pass defense in football that employs five defensive backs