nick·el 
(nĭkəl)
(nĭkəl)n.
1. Symbol Ni A silvery, hard, ductile, ferromagnetic metallic element used in corrosion-resistant alloys, stainless steel, catalysts for hydrogenation, and batteries, and for electroplating. Atomic number 28; atomic weight 58.69; melting point 1,455°C; boiling point 2,913°C; specific gravity 8.902; valence 0, 1, 2, 3. See Periodic Table.
2. A coin of the United States or Canada worth five cents.
tr.v. nick·eled, nick·el·ing, nick·els or nick·elled or nick·el·ling
To coat with nickel.
[Swedish, short for kopparnickel, niccolite, partial translation of German Kupfernickel : Kupfer, copper + Nickel, demon, rascal, from the deceptive copper color of the ore (from the name Nikolaus, Nicholas).]