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nibble
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun nibble has 2 senses
- nibble(n = noun.quantity) nybble - a small byte; Array is a kind of computer memory unit
- nibble(n = noun.act) Array - gentle biting; Array is a kind of bite, chomp
is a part of byte
Derived forms verb nibble3, verb nibble1
Derived form verb nibble2
Verb nibble has 3 senses
- nibble(v = verb.contact) Array - bite off very small pieces; "She nibbled on her cracker" is one way to bite, seize with teeth
- nibble(v = verb.contact) Array - bite gently; "The woman tenderly nibbled at her baby's ear" is one way to bite, seize with teeth
- nibble(v = verb.consumption) pick, piece - eat intermittently; take small bites of; "He pieced at the sandwich all morning"; "She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles" is one way to eat
Derived forms noun nibble1, noun nibbler1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
Derived form noun nibble2
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Derived forms noun nibble1, noun nibbler1
Sample sentence:
They nibble more bread
CIDE DICTIONARY
nibble, v. t. [Cf. Nip.].
To bite by little at a time; to seize gently with the mouth; to eat slowly or in small bits. [1913 Webster]
"Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep."
[1913 Webster]
nibble, v. t.
To bite upon something gently or cautiously; to eat a little of a thing, as by taking small bits cautiously; as, fishes nibble at the bait. [1913 Webster]
"Instead of returning a full answer to my book, he manifestly falls a-nibbling at one single passage."
[1913 Webster]
nibble, n.
- A small or cautious bite. [1913 Webster]
- An expression of interest, often tentative, as at the beginning of a sale or negotiation process. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
nibble, v. & n.
--v.
1 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. a take small bites at. b eat in small amounts. c bite at gently or cautiously or playfully.
2 intr. (foll. by at) show cautious interest in.
--n.
1 an instance of nibbling.
2 a very small amount of food.
3 Computing half a byte, i.e. 4 bits.
--v.
1 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. a take small bites at. b eat in small amounts. c bite at gently or cautiously or playfully.
2 intr. (foll. by at) show cautious interest in.
--n.
1 an instance of nibbling.
2 a very small amount of food.
3 Computing half a byte, i.e. 4 bits.
Derivative
nibbler n.
Etymology
prob. of LG or Du. orig.: cf. LG nibbeln gnaw
THESAURUS
nibble
and sinker, be a sucker, be taken in, bite, bolus, champ, chaw, chew, chew the cud, chew up, chomp, cud, devour, eat up, fall for, gnash, gnaw, go for, gob, gobble up, grind, gulp down, gum, lap up, line, masticate, morsel, mouth, mouthful, mumble, munch, nip, nosh, peck, peck at, pick, pick at, quid, ruminate, snack, snap, swallow, swallow anything, swallow hook, swallow whole, swing at, take the bait, tumble forROGET THESAURUS
nibble
Food
VB eat, feed, fare, devour, swallow, take, gulp, bolt, snap, fall to, despatch, dispatch, discuss, take down, get down, gulp down, lay in, tuck in, lick, pick, peck, gormandize, bite, champ, munch, cranch, craunch, crunch, chew, masticate, nibble, gnaw, mumble, live on, feed upon, batten upon, fatten upon, feast upon, browse, graze, crop, regale, carouse, eat heartily, do justice to, play a good knife and fork, banquet, break bread, break one's fast, breakfast, lunch, dine, take tea, sup, drink in, drink up, drink one's fill, quaff, sip, sup, suck, suck up, lap, swig, swill, chugalug, tipple, empty one's glass, drain the cup, toss off, toss one's glass, wash down, crack a bottle, wet one's whistle, purvey.
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