NIBBLE


Meaning of NIBBLE in English

I. ˈni-bəl verb

( nib·bled ; nib·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: circa 1512

transitive verb

1.

a. : to bite gently

b. : to eat or chew in small bits

2. : to take away bit by bit

waves nibbling the shore

intransitive verb

1. : to take gentle, small, or cautious bites ; also : snack

2. : to deal with something as if by nibbling

• nib·bler -b(ə-)lər noun

II. noun

Date: 1658

1. : an act of nibbling

2. : a very small quantity or portion (as of food) ; also : snack

3. : a tentative expression of interest

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.