/ ˈnɪbl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
nibble (at sth) to take small bites of sth, especially food :
[ vn ]
We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives.
He nibbled her ear playfully.
[ v ]
She took some cake from the tray and nibbled at it.
2.
[ v ] nibble (at sth) to show a slight interest in an offer, idea, etc. :
He nibbled at the idea, but would not make a definite decision.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- nibble away at sth
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a small bite of sth
2.
nibbles [ pl. ] small things to eat with a drink before a meal or at a party
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: probably of Low German or Dutch origin; compare with Low German nibbeln gnaw.