Jump to content

Wiktionary:Word of the day/2024/November 4

Add links
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

edit · refresh · view
Word of the day
for November 4
nibble v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, of (something).
    2. To lightly bite (a person or animal, or part of their body), especially in a loving or playful manner; to nip.
    3. To make (a hole in something) through small bites.
    4. To make (one's way) through or while taking small bites.
    5. Chiefly followed by into or to: to cause (something) to be in a certain state through small bites.
    6. Followed by away, off, etc.: to remove (something) through small bites.
      1. To remove (small pieces) from glass, tile, etc., with a tool; also, to remove small pieces from (glass, tile, etc.) with a tool.
    7. (obsolete)
      1. To fidget or play with (something), especially with the fingers or hands.
      2. (slang) To catch (someone); to nab.
      3. (slang) To steal (something); to pilfer.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. 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.
    2. To lightly bite, especially in a loving or playful manner.
    3. (figurative)
      1. Chiefly followed by at: to show slight interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal.
      2. Followed by away at: to reduce or use up gradually; to eat.
      3. (cricket, informal) Followed by at: of a batter: to make an indecisive attempt to bat a ball bowled outside the off stump.
      4. (road transport) Synonym of tramline (“of a vehicle: to tend to follow the contours of the ground with its wheels”)
    4. (obsolete)
      1. To fidget or play, especially with the fingers or hands.
      2. Chiefly followed by at: to make insignificant complaints; to carp, to cavil, to find fault.
      3. (slang) To engage in sexual intercourse.

nibble n

  1. An act of taking a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, especially with the front teeth; the bite or bites so taken.
  2. A light bite of a person or animal, or part of their body, especially one which is loving or playful; a nip.
  3. A amount of food that is or can be taken into the mouth through a small bite; a small mouthful.
  4. (figurative) A slight show of interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal.
  5. (obsolete, rare) Grass or other vegetation eaten by livestock; forage, pasturage.

[...]

  1. (computing) A unit of memory equal to half a byte, or chiefly four bits.
← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Wiktionary:Word_of_the_day/2024/November_4&oldid=82542726"