nibblen.

Brit.

/ˈnɪbl/, U.S.

/ˈnɪb(ə)l/

Forms: 1600s– nibble, 1900s– nybble (in sense 4); also Scottish pre-1700 nybill.

Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: nibble v.

Etymology: < nibble v.The form nybble (in sense 4) is apparently formed by humorous analogy with byte n.

a. The action or an act of nibbling; a small, tentative, delicate, or amorous bite.Often used of the behaviour of fish in response to a lure, piece of bait, etc., whence the figurative use described at sense 1b.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fish to be caught or as catch > [noun] > movement of fish

nibblea1525

running1634

rise1653

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > [noun] > nibbling or gnawing

gnawing1340

nibblea1525

nibbling1707

morsitation1819

a1525 Bk. Sevyne Sagis 820, in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 26 Scho said god I beseike of grace That in ȝour hart It tak effek Or nybill gif ȝow in þe nek.

1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 1102 They seek for the most tender places, and will not attempt the harder places with their nibble.

1770 E. Thompson Trinculo's Trip to Jubilee 30 There were Floras forsooth, who had ne'er been in Rome, O! of them I long'd for a nibble.

1785 R. Burns To Mouse in Poems & Songs (1968) I. 140 That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble, Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!

1789 ‘A. Pasquin’ Fisherman & Cynic in Poems (ed. 2) I. 168 Tho' I've got no bite, I've had—a glorious nibble.

1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 63 [To] fish all day..though he should not be encouraged by a single nibble.

1882 Ballou's Monthly Mag. Sept. 266/1 Marlow..sitting on a rock patiently awaiting a nibble, with Esterbrook standing..in mid-stream holding aloft a trout.

1897 Harper's Mag. Mar. 649/1 If I was to keep climbin' up to a third story to find a meal, and be poked down to the street just as I got a nibble, I'd be too discouraged to do anything but..starve.

1953 G. F. Alsop Hold your Weight Losses iii. 85 The cured patient, the reduced person, begins to take her nibbles, her tastes, her extra bites.

1990 D. McFarland Music Room 129 Like a schoolboy, I tried a quick nibble but she pulled away.

b. figurative or in figurative context. A show of interest in something, esp. a commercial opportunity or proposition.

ΚΠ

1797 J. Boaden Italian Monk i. i. 18 Ah, a kind hearted gentleman—but cross'd in love!—I warrant the Count felt a nibble upon the line, and has whipped her into the basket to flounder and flounce in vain.

1822 J. Constable Let. 13 Apr. in Corr. (1964) II. 274 I have had some nibbles at my large picture at the Gallery... I have a professional offer of £70 for it..to form part of an exhibition in Paris.

1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. II. 114 To prevent any escape by a nibble in this circle.

1966 Science 14 Oct. 247/3 [Senator McGovern]..also wrote letters..requesting permission to come to China; these were never answered. ‘I didn't receive a nibble anywhere’, he told Science.

1974 K. Millett Flying (1975) ii. 197 The first nibble came from Hollywood for her novel.

1992 Economist 21 Nov. 151/3 Dr Ward is hoping his technical success will bring him commercial success too, but so far he has had only a few nibbles.

a. A quantity of grass, (later also) food, etc., that can be taken into the mouth by a single nibble; a small mouthful. Also in extended use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > small quantity

breadeOE

crumbc975

snedec1000

snodec1150

morselc1300

swallow1340

modicumc1400

mouthful?c1450

tasting1526

taste1530

buckone1625

morceau1778

rive1793

nibble?1828

munchet1845

moufful1896

niblet1896

snade1901

nugget1951

nibbly1978

the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > herb or herbaceous plant > [noun] > herbage or grass > cultivated or for pasture > quantity sufficient for a nibble

nibble?1828

?1828 W. T. Moncrieff Eugene Aram ii. v. 47 Wal. The beasts must be refreshed by this time. Bunt. Refreshed, your honour!—baugh!—what's a few nibbles of grass?

1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. xii. 268 There'll ne'er be a nibble o' grass to be seen this two month.

1866 Ladies' Repository Nov. 664/1 Suppose education to be conducted in this fashion—a nibble of Greek, a browse of Latin, German, as the inclination may be, [etc.].

1876 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 590/1 We had caviar..Bologna sausage and nibbles of radish, and, to finish, pâté de fois [sic] gras.

1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Nibble,..a small or cautious bite..a quantity (of food) such as might be so taken.

1918 Otago Witness (Dunedin, N.Z.) 31 July 27 It tries one's powers of endurance to look out and see the..long-suffering ‘woollies’ trying hard to find a nibble.

1973 N.Y. Times Mag. 2 Dec. 106 It is nice to have a nibble of food in the larder to bring out on occasions like this.

b. spec. (originally U.S.). Frequently in plural. A small quantity of (usually savoury) food nibbled or consumed as a snack; a morsel or titbit of food, esp. one eaten between meals or with a drink.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > small quantity > bitten or licked

bitc1000

bite1535

lick1603

nibble1968

1968 Better Homes & Gardens (U.S.) Jan. 54/1 Appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, canapés, beverages, sweet nibbles, special dips and spreads—you'll find them all here and on the next few pages.

1975 Times 12 Apr. 11/2 Fine china and crystal, and fresh nibbles in the bar, are included in the bill.

1987 Z. Tomin Coast of Bohemia iii. 78 We ate a huge plate of nibbles.

2000 S. Afr. Times UK 12 July 16/3 Tapas originated..when bar owners used to slip saucers as lids on top of sherry glasses... It was customary for owners to include a few free nibbles on the saucers.

†3. Pasturage, grass. Cf. bite n. 4. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > animal food > [noun] > fodder > pasture

pasturea1400

pasturagea1522

bite1768

long crop1787

nibble1875

1875 R. D. Blackmore Alice Lorraine x. liv, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 58/1 The moss had come over the herbage, and the sweet nibble of the sheep was souring.

4. Computing. Half a byte; four bits.

ΘΚΠ

society > computing and information technology > data > [noun] > unit of

bit1948

megabit1957

byte1964

MB1965

megabyte1965

packet1966

nibble1967

Mbit1968

Mbyte1972

MSB1972

meg1983

1967 D. H. Stabley System/360 Assembler Lang. 6 Nibble is used to designate the left-most, or right-most, four bits of a byte.

1977 A. Malvino Digital Computer Electronics 359 We've replaced each 4-bit nibble by a 16-position rotary switch (a byte is 8 bits, a nibble is 4).

1980 B. A. Artwick Microcomputer Interfacing 331 Nybble, half a byte.

1983 Softline May–June 18/2 The top nibble of AUDCX contains the distortion parameter for the channel, and the bottom nibble contains the volume information.

1999 Electronic Design News (Nexis) 8 July 102 The system..reads the data byte in two cycles: low-order data nybble and high-order data nybble.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

nibblev.

Brit.

/ˈnɪbl/, U.S.

/ˈnɪb(ə)l/

Forms: late Middle English nebyll, 1500s gnibble, 1500s nyble, 1500s–1600s gnible, 1500s–1800s nible, 1500s– nibble; also Scottish pre-1700 nybbill.

Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a borrowing from Middle Low German. Etymon: Middle Low German nibbelen.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < Middle Low German nibbelen to peck, to eat in small bites (German regional (Low German) nibbeln , gnibbeln , knibbeln ), cognate with West Frisian knibbelje , Middle Dutch cnibbelen (Dutch knibbelen to gnaw, murmur), apparently an ablaut variant of knabbelen (see knabble v.). Compare later nib v.¹With form nebyll in quot. a1500 at sense 1a perhaps compare neb n.

a. transitive. To take a small bite, or a series of small bites, at or from (a thing); to bite away gradually; to bite tentatively, delicately, playfully, or amorously. Also figurative and in extended use.In quot. a1500 perhaps: to make an attempt at.

ΘΠ

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (transitive)] > nibble or gnaw

gnawa1000

bitec1250

nibblea1500

knabble1580

knepa1642

knuba1652

nab1653

chumble1821

natter1862

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 384 (MED) The meyn shall ye nebyll, And I shall syng the trebill.

a1513 W. Dunbar Ballat Abbot of Tungland in Poems (1998) I. 58 Thay nybbillit him with noyis and cry.

1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Derodo, to gnawe or gnibble.

1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. H2^v Some clambring..Nibble the bushie shrubs.

a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry IV ccxlviii, in Poems (1878) IV. 63 Like a Spring-taught Snayle, Was crauling to haue Nibbled the fresh leafe.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 431. ¶3 I then nibbled all the red Wax of our last Ball-Tickets.

1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 55 One sees the trouts and other fish..nibbling the calves and ox livers with which they are fed.

1817 J. Keats Sleep & Poetry 254 All tenderest birds there..Nibble the little cupped flowers.

1833 Pearl & Lit. Gaz. 23 Nov. 64/3 Here I stuck. I scratched my caput, nibbled my pen, twitched up my sleeve a dozen times.

1871 C. Darwin Descent of Man I. iii. 75 Horses nibble, and cows lick, each other on any spot which itches.

1904 J. Conrad Nostromo iii. iv The military members, nibbling the feather of a quill pen, and listening..to the protestations of some prisoner.

1951 J. Hawkes Land vi. 79 Stegosaurus was a mild harmless creature which liked to wander along the edge of lagoons nibbling succulent plants.

1986 P. Reading Essent. Reading 134 Encircling her slim waist with a fond arm, the husband of a fortnight nibbles her throat.

b. intransitive. With at (also away, on, †upon, †with) in same sense. Also without construction: to take a small bite; to eat or feed by repeatedly taking small bites; (in extended use) to eat frequently in small amounts. Also figurative.

ΘΠ

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (intransitive)] > nibble or gnaw

gnawa1382

bitec1386

knabble1580

nibble1582

nib1585

knapple1611

nab1630

moup1710

chumble1821

naggle1824

peck1824

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis Ded. sig. Aij Not onlye by gnibling vpon thee outward ryne of a..historie, but also by groaping thee pyth.

1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet 3 I doo but yet angle with a silken flye, to see whether Martins will nibble.

1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath ii. sig. B3^v And see if any siluer-coated fish, Will nibble at your worme-emboweld hooks.

1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore iv. ii. 12 His teeth water to be nibbling at my gold.

1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) To Parl. sig. A3 To let them play and nibble with the bait a while.

1692 J. Dryden All for Love (new ed.) Pref. sig. b2 Sucking Critiques, who wou'd fain be nibbling ere their teeth are come.

1700 C. Ness Antidote against Arminianism 122 The Seed of the Serpent may nibble at the Heels of the Seed of the Woman.

1737 H. Baker Medulla Poetarum Romanorum II. 89 The Guest..sat as if afraid to hurt his Mouth, and nibbl'd here and there with dainty Tooth.

1776 D. Garrick Let. 4 Nov. (1963) III. 1137 I have this nasty Gout still nibbling at me & would fain damp my Spirits.

1794 W. Cowper Needless Alarm 38 Some [sheep] with soft bosom pressed The herb as soft, while nibbling strayed the rest.

1839 New Monthly Mag. 57 36 Prankful squirrels, nibbling at the rind.

1871 J. Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue vii. 299 Latin scholarship was, however, continually nibbling away at these monuments of the French reign.

1878 A. H. Markham Great Frozen Sea ii. 28 The ‘wily cod’..could not even be induced to ‘nibble’.

1939 N. West Day of Locust xi. 71 She ate the fruit more slowly, nibbling daintily, her smallest finger curled away from the rest of her hand.

1941 P. White Diary 13 Feb. (1994) ii. 39 Small, skipping gazelles nibble at the roots of grass.

1987 K. Gibbons Ellen Foster (1988) viii. 57 She and Roy would nibble on each other.

c. transitive. With into, to, or adjectival complement: to bring into the given state or form by nibbling. With off, away, etc.: to detach or remove by nibbling. Also figurative.

1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge Prol. sig. A2 Snarling gusts nibble the iuyceles leaues, From the nak't shuddring branch.

1617 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Faire Quarrell v. sig. H4^v All my baites nibled off, And not the fish caught.

1732 H. Fielding Old Debauchees iii. viii. 36 Y. Lar. A fine Woman is as good a Bait for a Priest-trap, as toasted Cheese is for a Mouse-trap.Old Lar. Yes, but the Rascal will nibble off twenty Baits before you can take him.

1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) I. 591 They frequently nibble away the bait without touching the hook.

1837 S. Smith Wks. (1859) II. 280/2 If the Foreign Secretary were to retire, we should no longer be nibbling ourselves into disgrace on the coast of Spain.

1849 R. Curzon Visits to Monasteries Levant viii. 100 The paint brush is made by chewing the end of a reed till it is reduced to filaments and then nibbling it into a proper form.

1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxxvii. 321 [He] nibbled off the end of a cigar, preparatory to lighting it.

1887 T. Hardy Woodlanders I. vii. 129 The bases of the smaller trees were nibbled bare by rabbits.

1918 W. Cather My Ántonia i. vii. 49 The [prairie-]dog town was spread out over perhaps ten acres. The grass had been nibbled short and even.

1932 Discovery Nov. 364/2 Pythons are so sluggish that they have been nibbled to death by striped mice.

1990 Amer. Horticulturist Sept. 12/1 Urban sprawl continues to nibble away our living space.

d. intransitive. To show tentative interest, esp. in a commercial opportunity or proposition. Usually with at. Cf. nibble n. 1b.

1648 Mercurius Elencticus No. 32. 248 Their last Refuge is a Treaty in good earnest, which yet the Citizens do but nibble at & dare not adventure of.

1921 P. G. Wodehouse Let. 20 May in Yours, Plum (1990) i. 21 It almost looks certain now that Oh Lady will be put on in London. Three managers are nibbling at it.

1973 Times 20 Mar. 21/3 Since the Broadspeed Turbo Bullit..was announced in January, motor manufacturers have been nibbling at the idea.

e. transitive. To create (a hole, etc.) by nibbling; (also) to make (one's way) by nibbling. Also in extended use.

1789 G. White Let. in Nat. Hist. Selborne 275 The second [field-mouse] nibbles a hole with his teeth.

1860 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 337/2 The snake..making its way through the holes nibbled by the Mangouste underneath the doors.

1867 A. J. Evans St. Elmo xxi. 296 Just see what a hole the pretty little wretch has nibbled in my new Swiss muslin dress!

1911 J. Muir My First Summer in Sierra 41 The sheep..slowly nibbled their way down into the valley.

1985 F. Raphael Heaven & Earth ii. 44 Rust had nibbled scabby hoops in the noisy metal.

1993 B. Wood Rebel Angel (BNC) 178 The winged creature fell on the remains of the young boy, and settled on his chest, nibbling and clawing its way into his face.

f. transitive. technical. To remove small portions from (the edge of a piece of glass, a tile, etc.), using a tool or machine. Cf. nibbler n. 3.

ΘΠ

the world > space > shape > shape or give shape to [verb (transitive)] > by or as by cutting

hewc900

behewc1314

tailc1400

chisel1517

tailye1581

cut1600

nick1605

pare1708

whittle1848

nibble1987

1987 Which? Aug. 381/2 If you're cutting a thin strip off the edge of a piece of glass it may be easier to nibble it off with pliers.

1992 ‘J. Gash’ Lies of Fair Ladies (1993) xviii. 131 They nibbled the glass's edges with a notched thing called a grozing iron.

†2.

a. intransitive. To fidget or play, esp. with the fingers. Obsolete.

ΘΠ

society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > hand gesture > [verb (intransitive)] > finger gesture

nibble1570

1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Iiv^v/1 To Nibble with the fingers, gesticulari.

1574 J. Baret Aluearie N 96 To nibble with the fingers, as vnmanerly boyes doo with their pointes when they are spoken to.

1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande iii. f. 14/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I His fingers began to nibble, hys teeth to grinne.

b. transitive. To fidget or play with (a thing). Obsolete. rare.In quot. 1676: spec. to strike repeatedly with the finger (as a technique in playing a stringed instrument).

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle idly or restlessly

finger1546

to toy with ——1576

paddlea1616

nibble1676

twiddle1676

trifle1818

to pick at ——1841

to play off and on with1845

piggle1847

to twiddle with or at1847

1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 103 If you would have a Hard, or Tearing Shake, then Nibble the d [fret] strongly, and very quick.

1829 J. Hogg Shepherd's Cal. vii The hem of her jerkin, which she was nibbling with her hands.

†3. intransitive. To carp at; to make trifling objections or criticisms. Cf. niggle v.² Obsolete.

ΘΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > criticize [verb (intransitive)] > captiously

apeluchier1340

pinchc1387

pick-fault1544

carp1548

cavil1548

snag1554

nibblea1591

catch1628

momize1654

niggle1796

nag1828

to pick on ——1864

snark1882

knock1892

nitpick1962

a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 34 She will be nibling at his praier, and at his studie, and at his meditations, till she haue tyred his deuotions.

1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 66 I need not say to nibble, but openly to argue against the Kings Supremacie.

1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 29 He will nibble at some Passages of this Section, to shew his own great Wit.

1719 J. Welwood Pref. to Rowe's Lucan 41 To humour the deprav'd taste of the Age, by nibbling at Scripture, or depreciating things in themselves Sacred.

1788 W. Cowper Let. 19 June (1982) III. 180 I think I can give you an honest answer to your question and without the least wish to nibble.

1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI v. 63 Who nibble, scribble, quibble, he Quiets at once with ‘quia impossibile’.

1867 A. C. Swinburne in Fortn. Rev. Oct. 433 The small troubles of spirits that nibble and quibble about beliefs living or dead.

1878 E. White Life in Christ (ed. 3) Pref. 4 Reviewers have nibbled at phrases and special criticisms, but have avoided the principal questions.

†4. slang.

a. transitive. To catch (a person); to nab. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)]

i-lecchec1000

fang1016

hentOE

takeOE

alatchlOE

catchc1275

wina1300

to take ina1387

attain1393

geta1400

overhent?a1400

restay?a1400

seizea1400

tachec1400

arrest1481

carrya1500

collara1535

snap1568

overgo1581

surprise1592

nibble1608

incaptivate1611

nicka1640

cop1704

chop1726

nail1735

to give a person the foot1767

capture1796

hooka1800

sniba1801

net1803

nib1819

prehend1831

corral1860

rope1877

1608 T. Middleton Trick to catch Old-one i. sig. B3^v The Roague has spied me now, hee nibled me finely once too.

1843 W. T. Moncrieff Scamps of London iii. i You are spliced—nibbled at last—well, I wish you joy.

1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) viii, in Writings I. 75 A nice job I've had to nibble him.

b. transitive. To steal, pilfer. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > petty theft or pilfering > pilfer [verb (transitive)]

mitcha1393

pelfa1400

purloinc1475

prowl?1529

finger1530

pilfer1532

lurchc1565

filch1567

filch1574

proloyne1581

nim1606

hook1615

truff1718

snaffle1725

crib1735

pettifog1759

magg1762

niffle1785

cabbage1793

weed1811

nibble1819

cab1825

smouch1826

snuga1859

mooch1862

attract1891

souvenir1897

rat1906

snipe1909

promote1918

salvage1918

smooch1941

1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 191 Nibble, to pilfer trifling articles, not having spirit to touch any thing of consequence.

1821 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Nov. 428/1 Bloody sessions to you, you ould tub of the devil!—May every tester you have nibbled from poor Michael Brennan..turn a red-hot shot to sink and to confound you!

†5. intransitive. slang. To engage in sexual intercourse. Cf. niggle v.¹ Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse

playOE

to do (also work) one's kindc1225

bedc1315

couple1362

gendera1382

to go togetherc1390

to come togethera1398

meddlea1398

felterc1400

companya1425

swivec1440

japea1450

mellc1450

to have to do with (also mid, of, on)1474

engender1483

fuck?a1513

conversec1540

jostlec1540

confederate1557

coeate1576

jumble1582

mate1589

do1594

conjoin1597

grind1598

consortc1600

pair1603

to dance (a dance) between a pair of sheets1608

commix1610

cock1611

nibble1611

wap1611

bolstera1616

incorporate1622

truck1622

subagitate1623

occupya1626

minglec1630

copulate1632

fere1632

rut1637

joust1639

fanfreluche1653

carnalize1703

screw1725

pump1730

correspond1756

shag1770

hump1785

conjugate1790

diddle1879

to get some1889

fuckeec1890

jig-a-jig1896

perform1902

rabbit1919

jazz1920

sex1921

root1922

yentz1923

to make love1927

rock1931

mollock1932

to make (beautiful) music (together)1936

sleep1936

bang1937

lumber1938

to hop into bed (with)1951

to make out1951

ball1955

score1960

trick1965

to have it away1966

to roll in the hay1966

to get down1967

poontang1968

pork1968

shtup1969

shack1976

bonk1984

boink1985

1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle i. 191 I would give but too much money to be nibbling with that wench.

1653 J. Shirley Cardinal iv. 39 Sec. A spirited Lady, would I had her in my closet... Cel. I do suspect this fellow would be nibling.

1686 On Ladies of Honour (Harl. 7319) f. 426 At the Princesses Ladies I fain wou'd be nibling.

6. intransitive. Cricket colloquial. Of a batter: to play tentatively and indecisively at a ball bowled outside the off stump.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (intransitive)] > types of stroke

chop1776

mow1844

crump1850

poke1851

cut1857

swipe1857

glance1898

glide1899

cart1903

nibble1926

on-drive1930

slash1955

cover-drive1960

push1963

1926 P. F. Warner Fight for Ashes 16 Bardsley..showed a distinct weakness in nibbling at good-length balls outside the off-stump.

1932 E. Blunden Face of Eng. 71 ‘Tom's out.’ ‘He shouldn't have nibbled at that.’

2001 Times 21 Mar. i. 35/2 After the break, McGrath struck again as the home captain nibbled at an off-cutter.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	nibble
释义	nibblen. Brit. /ˈnɪbl/, U.S. /ˈnɪb(ə)l/ Forms: 1600s– nibble, 1900s– nybble (in sense 4); also Scottish pre-1700 nybill. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: nibble v. Etymology: < nibble v.The form nybble (in sense 4) is apparently formed by humorous analogy with byte n. 1. a. The action or an act of nibbling; a small, tentative, delicate, or amorous bite.Often used of the behaviour of fish in response to a lure, piece of bait, etc., whence the figurative use described at sense 1b. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fish to be caught or as catch > [noun] > movement of fish nibblea1525 running1634 rise1653 the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > [noun] > nibbling or gnawing gnawing1340 nibblea1525 nibbling1707 morsitation1819 a1525 Bk. Sevyne Sagis 820, in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 26 Scho said god I beseike of grace That in ȝour hart It tak effek Or nybill gif ȝow in þe nek. 1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 1102 They seek for the most tender places, and will not attempt the harder places with their nibble. 1770 E. Thompson Trinculo's Trip to Jubilee 30 There were Floras forsooth, who had ne'er been in Rome, O! of them I long'd for a nibble. 1785 R. Burns To Mouse in Poems & Songs (1968) I. 140 That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble, Has cost thee monie a weary nibble! 1789 ‘A. Pasquin’ Fisherman & Cynic in Poems (ed. 2) I. 168 Tho' I've got no bite, I've had—a glorious nibble. 1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 63 [To] fish all day..though he should not be encouraged by a single nibble. 1882 Ballou's Monthly Mag. Sept. 266/1 Marlow..sitting on a rock patiently awaiting a nibble, with Esterbrook standing..in mid-stream holding aloft a trout. 1897 Harper's Mag. Mar. 649/1 If I was to keep climbin' up to a third story to find a meal, and be poked down to the street just as I got a nibble, I'd be too discouraged to do anything but..starve. 1953 G. F. Alsop Hold your Weight Losses iii. 85 The cured patient, the reduced person, begins to take her nibbles, her tastes, her extra bites. 1990 D. McFarland Music Room 129 Like a schoolboy, I tried a quick nibble but she pulled away. b. figurative or in figurative context. A show of interest in something, esp. a commercial opportunity or proposition. ΚΠ 1797 J. Boaden Italian Monk i. i. 18 Ah, a kind hearted gentleman—but cross'd in love!—I warrant the Count felt a nibble upon the line, and has whipped her into the basket to flounder and flounce in vain. 1822 J. Constable Let. 13 Apr. in Corr. (1964) II. 274 I have had some nibbles at my large picture at the Gallery... I have a professional offer of £70 for it..to form part of an exhibition in Paris. 1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. II. 114 To prevent any escape by a nibble in this circle. 1966 Science 14 Oct. 247/3 [Senator McGovern]..also wrote letters..requesting permission to come to China; these were never answered. ‘I didn't receive a nibble anywhere’, he told Science. 1974 K. Millett Flying (1975) ii. 197 The first nibble came from Hollywood for her novel. 1992 Economist 21 Nov. 151/3 Dr Ward is hoping his technical success will bring him commercial success too, but so far he has had only a few nibbles. 2. a. A quantity of grass, (later also) food, etc., that can be taken into the mouth by a single nibble; a small mouthful. Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > small quantity breadeOE crumbc975 snedec1000 snodec1150 morselc1300 swallow1340 modicumc1400 mouthful?c1450 tasting1526 taste1530 buckone1625 morceau1778 rive1793 nibble?1828 munchet1845 moufful1896 niblet1896 snade1901 nugget1951 nibbly1978 the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > herb or herbaceous plant > [noun] > herbage or grass > cultivated or for pasture > quantity sufficient for a nibble nibble?1828 ?1828 W. T. Moncrieff Eugene Aram ii. v. 47 Wal. The beasts must be refreshed by this time. Bunt. Refreshed, your honour!—baugh!—what's a few nibbles of grass? 1863 E. C. Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers I. xii. 268 There'll ne'er be a nibble o' grass to be seen this two month. 1866 Ladies' Repository Nov. 664/1 Suppose education to be conducted in this fashion—a nibble of Greek, a browse of Latin, German, as the inclination may be, [etc.]. 1876 Atlantic Monthly Nov. 590/1 We had caviar..Bologna sausage and nibbles of radish, and, to finish, pâté de fois [sic] gras. 1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Nibble,..a small or cautious bite..a quantity (of food) such as might be so taken. 1918 Otago Witness (Dunedin, N.Z.) 31 July 27 It tries one's powers of endurance to look out and see the..long-suffering ‘woollies’ trying hard to find a nibble. 1973 N.Y. Times Mag. 2 Dec. 106 It is nice to have a nibble of food in the larder to bring out on occasions like this. b. spec. (originally U.S.). Frequently in plural. A small quantity of (usually savoury) food nibbled or consumed as a snack; a morsel or titbit of food, esp. one eaten between meals or with a drink. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > amounts of food > [noun] > small quantity > bitten or licked bitc1000 bite1535 lick1603 nibble1968 1968 Better Homes & Gardens (U.S.) Jan. 54/1 Appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, canapés, beverages, sweet nibbles, special dips and spreads—you'll find them all here and on the next few pages. 1975 Times 12 Apr. 11/2 Fine china and crystal, and fresh nibbles in the bar, are included in the bill. 1987 Z. Tomin Coast of Bohemia iii. 78 We ate a huge plate of nibbles. 2000 S. Afr. Times UK 12 July 16/3 Tapas originated..when bar owners used to slip saucers as lids on top of sherry glasses... It was customary for owners to include a few free nibbles on the saucers. †3. Pasturage, grass. Cf. bite n. 4. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > animal food > [noun] > fodder > pasture pasturea1400 pasturagea1522 bite1768 long crop1787 nibble1875 1875 R. D. Blackmore Alice Lorraine x. liv, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 58/1 The moss had come over the herbage, and the sweet nibble of the sheep was souring. 4. Computing. Half a byte; four bits. ΘΚΠ society > computing and information technology > data > [noun] > unit of bit1948 megabit1957 byte1964 MB1965 megabyte1965 packet1966 nibble1967 Mbit1968 Mbyte1972 MSB1972 meg1983 1967 D. H. Stabley System/360 Assembler Lang. 6 Nibble is used to designate the left-most, or right-most, four bits of a byte. 1977 A. Malvino Digital Computer Electronics 359 We've replaced each 4-bit nibble by a 16-position rotary switch (a byte is 8 bits, a nibble is 4). 1980 B. A. Artwick Microcomputer Interfacing 331 Nybble, half a byte. 1983 Softline May–June 18/2 The top nibble of AUDCX contains the distortion parameter for the channel, and the bottom nibble contains the volume information. 1999 Electronic Design News (Nexis) 8 July 102 The system..reads the data byte in two cycles: low-order data nybble and high-order data nybble. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022). nibblev. Brit. /ˈnɪbl/, U.S. /ˈnɪb(ə)l/ Forms: late Middle English nebyll, 1500s gnibble, 1500s nyble, 1500s–1600s gnible, 1500s–1800s nible, 1500s– nibble; also Scottish pre-1700 nybbill. Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a borrowing from Middle Low German. Etymon: Middle Low German nibbelen. Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < Middle Low German nibbelen to peck, to eat in small bites (German regional (Low German) nibbeln , gnibbeln , knibbeln ), cognate with West Frisian knibbelje , Middle Dutch cnibbelen (Dutch knibbelen to gnaw, murmur), apparently an ablaut variant of knabbelen (see knabble v.). Compare later nib v.¹With form nebyll in quot. a1500 at sense 1a perhaps compare neb n. 1. a. transitive. To take a small bite, or a series of small bites, at or from (a thing); to bite away gradually; to bite tentatively, delicately, playfully, or amorously. Also figurative and in extended use.In quot. a1500 perhaps: to make an attempt at. ΘΠ the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (transitive)] > nibble or gnaw gnawa1000 bitec1250 nibblea1500 knabble1580 knepa1642 knuba1652 nab1653 chumble1821 natter1862 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1897–1973) 384 (MED) The meyn shall ye nebyll, And I shall syng the trebill. a1513 W. Dunbar Ballat Abbot of Tungland in Poems (1998) I. 58 Thay nybbillit him with noyis and cry. 1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Derodo, to gnawe or gnibble. 1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. H2^v Some clambring..Nibble the bushie shrubs. a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry IV ccxlviii, in Poems (1878) IV. 63 Like a Spring-taught Snayle, Was crauling to haue Nibbled the fresh leafe. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 431. ¶3 I then nibbled all the red Wax of our last Ball-Tickets. 1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 55 One sees the trouts and other fish..nibbling the calves and ox livers with which they are fed. 1817 J. Keats Sleep & Poetry 254 All tenderest birds there..Nibble the little cupped flowers. 1833 Pearl & Lit. Gaz. 23 Nov. 64/3 Here I stuck. I scratched my caput, nibbled my pen, twitched up my sleeve a dozen times. 1871 C. Darwin Descent of Man I. iii. 75 Horses nibble, and cows lick, each other on any spot which itches. 1904 J. Conrad Nostromo iii. iv The military members, nibbling the feather of a quill pen, and listening..to the protestations of some prisoner. 1951 J. Hawkes Land vi. 79 Stegosaurus was a mild harmless creature which liked to wander along the edge of lagoons nibbling succulent plants. 1986 P. Reading Essent. Reading 134 Encircling her slim waist with a fond arm, the husband of a fortnight nibbles her throat. b. intransitive. With at (also away, on, †upon, †with) in same sense. Also without construction: to take a small bite; to eat or feed by repeatedly taking small bites; (in extended use) to eat frequently in small amounts. Also figurative. ΘΠ the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (intransitive)] > nibble or gnaw gnawa1382 bitec1386 knabble1580 nibble1582 nib1585 knapple1611 nab1630 moup1710 chumble1821 naggle1824 peck1824 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis Ded. sig. Aij Not onlye by gnibling vpon thee outward ryne of a..historie, but also by groaping thee pyth. 1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet 3 I doo but yet angle with a silken flye, to see whether Martins will nibble. 1608 J. Day Humour out of Breath ii. sig. B3^v And see if any siluer-coated fish, Will nibble at your worme-emboweld hooks. 1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore iv. ii. 12 His teeth water to be nibbling at my gold. 1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) To Parl. sig. A3 To let them play and nibble with the bait a while. 1692 J. Dryden All for Love (new ed.) Pref. sig. b2 Sucking Critiques, who wou'd fain be nibbling ere their teeth are come. 1700 C. Ness Antidote against Arminianism 122 The Seed of the Serpent may nibble at the Heels of the Seed of the Woman. 1737 H. Baker Medulla Poetarum Romanorum II. 89 The Guest..sat as if afraid to hurt his Mouth, and nibbl'd here and there with dainty Tooth. 1776 D. Garrick Let. 4 Nov. (1963) III. 1137 I have this nasty Gout still nibbling at me & would fain damp my Spirits. 1794 W. Cowper Needless Alarm 38 Some [sheep] with soft bosom pressed The herb as soft, while nibbling strayed the rest. 1839 New Monthly Mag. 57 36 Prankful squirrels, nibbling at the rind. 1871 J. Earle Philol. Eng. Tongue vii. 299 Latin scholarship was, however, continually nibbling away at these monuments of the French reign. 1878 A. H. Markham Great Frozen Sea ii. 28 The ‘wily cod’..could not even be induced to ‘nibble’. 1939 N. West Day of Locust xi. 71 She ate the fruit more slowly, nibbling daintily, her smallest finger curled away from the rest of her hand. 1941 P. White Diary 13 Feb. (1994) ii. 39 Small, skipping gazelles nibble at the roots of grass. 1987 K. Gibbons Ellen Foster (1988) viii. 57 She and Roy would nibble on each other. c. transitive. With into, to, or adjectival complement: to bring into the given state or form by nibbling. With off, away, etc.: to detach or remove by nibbling. Also figurative. Π 1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge Prol. sig. A2 Snarling gusts nibble the iuyceles leaues, From the nak't shuddring branch. 1617 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Faire Quarrell v. sig. H4^v All my baites nibled off, And not the fish caught. 1732 H. Fielding Old Debauchees iii. viii. 36 Y. Lar. A fine Woman is as good a Bait for a Priest-trap, as toasted Cheese is for a Mouse-trap.Old Lar. Yes, but the Rascal will nibble off twenty Baits before you can take him. 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) I. 591 They frequently nibble away the bait without touching the hook. 1837 S. Smith Wks. (1859) II. 280/2 If the Foreign Secretary were to retire, we should no longer be nibbling ourselves into disgrace on the coast of Spain. 1849 R. Curzon Visits to Monasteries Levant viii. 100 The paint brush is made by chewing the end of a reed till it is reduced to filaments and then nibbling it into a proper form. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xxxvii. 321 [He] nibbled off the end of a cigar, preparatory to lighting it. 1887 T. Hardy Woodlanders I. vii. 129 The bases of the smaller trees were nibbled bare by rabbits. 1918 W. Cather My Ántonia i. vii. 49 The [prairie-]dog town was spread out over perhaps ten acres. The grass had been nibbled short and even. 1932 Discovery Nov. 364/2 Pythons are so sluggish that they have been nibbled to death by striped mice. 1990 Amer. Horticulturist Sept. 12/1 Urban sprawl continues to nibble away our living space. d. intransitive. To show tentative interest, esp. in a commercial opportunity or proposition. Usually with at. Cf. nibble n. 1b. Π 1648 Mercurius Elencticus No. 32. 248 Their last Refuge is a Treaty in good earnest, which yet the Citizens do but nibble at & dare not adventure of. 1921 P. G. Wodehouse Let. 20 May in Yours, Plum (1990) i. 21 It almost looks certain now that Oh Lady will be put on in London. Three managers are nibbling at it. 1973 Times 20 Mar. 21/3 Since the Broadspeed Turbo Bullit..was announced in January, motor manufacturers have been nibbling at the idea. e. transitive. To create (a hole, etc.) by nibbling; (also) to make (one's way) by nibbling. Also in extended use. Π 1789 G. White Let. in Nat. Hist. Selborne 275 The second [field-mouse] nibbles a hole with his teeth. 1860 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 337/2 The snake..making its way through the holes nibbled by the Mangouste underneath the doors. 1867 A. J. Evans St. Elmo xxi. 296 Just see what a hole the pretty little wretch has nibbled in my new Swiss muslin dress! 1911 J. Muir My First Summer in Sierra 41 The sheep..slowly nibbled their way down into the valley. 1985 F. Raphael Heaven & Earth ii. 44 Rust had nibbled scabby hoops in the noisy metal. 1993 B. Wood Rebel Angel (BNC) 178 The winged creature fell on the remains of the young boy, and settled on his chest, nibbling and clawing its way into his face. f. transitive. technical. To remove small portions from (the edge of a piece of glass, a tile, etc.), using a tool or machine. Cf. nibbler n. 3. ΘΠ the world > space > shape > shape or give shape to [verb (transitive)] > by or as by cutting hewc900 behewc1314 tailc1400 chisel1517 tailye1581 cut1600 nick1605 pare1708 whittle1848 nibble1987 1987 Which? Aug. 381/2 If you're cutting a thin strip off the edge of a piece of glass it may be easier to nibble it off with pliers. 1992 ‘J. Gash’ Lies of Fair Ladies (1993) xviii. 131 They nibbled the glass's edges with a notched thing called a grozing iron. †2. a. intransitive. To fidget or play, esp. with the fingers. Obsolete. ΘΠ society > communication > indication > gesturing or gesture > hand gesture > [verb (intransitive)] > finger gesture nibble1570 1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Iiv^v/1 To Nibble with the fingers, gesticulari. 1574 J. Baret Aluearie N 96 To nibble with the fingers, as vnmanerly boyes doo with their pointes when they are spoken to. 1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande iii. f. 14/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I His fingers began to nibble, hys teeth to grinne. b. transitive. To fidget or play with (a thing). Obsolete. rare.In quot. 1676: spec. to strike repeatedly with the finger (as a technique in playing a stringed instrument). ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle idly or restlessly finger1546 to toy with ——1576 paddlea1616 nibble1676 twiddle1676 trifle1818 to pick at ——1841 to play off and on with1845 piggle1847 to twiddle with or at1847 1676 T. Mace Musick's Monument 103 If you would have a Hard, or Tearing Shake, then Nibble the d [fret] strongly, and very quick. 1829 J. Hogg Shepherd's Cal. vii The hem of her jerkin, which she was nibbling with her hands. †3. intransitive. To carp at; to make trifling objections or criticisms. Cf. niggle v.² Obsolete. ΘΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > criticize [verb (intransitive)] > captiously apeluchier1340 pinchc1387 pick-fault1544 carp1548 cavil1548 snag1554 nibblea1591 catch1628 momize1654 niggle1796 nag1828 to pick on ——1864 snark1882 knock1892 nitpick1962 a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 34 She will be nibling at his praier, and at his studie, and at his meditations, till she haue tyred his deuotions. 1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 66 I need not say to nibble, but openly to argue against the Kings Supremacie. 1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 29 He will nibble at some Passages of this Section, to shew his own great Wit. 1719 J. Welwood Pref. to Rowe's Lucan 41 To humour the deprav'd taste of the Age, by nibbling at Scripture, or depreciating things in themselves Sacred. 1788 W. Cowper Let. 19 June (1982) III. 180 I think I can give you an honest answer to your question and without the least wish to nibble. 1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI v. 63 Who nibble, scribble, quibble, he Quiets at once with ‘quia impossibile’. 1867 A. C. Swinburne in Fortn. Rev. Oct. 433 The small troubles of spirits that nibble and quibble about beliefs living or dead. 1878 E. White Life in Christ (ed. 3) Pref. 4 Reviewers have nibbled at phrases and special criticisms, but have avoided the principal questions. †4. slang. a. transitive. To catch (a person); to nab. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)] i-lecchec1000 fang1016 hentOE takeOE alatchlOE catchc1275 wina1300 to take ina1387 attain1393 geta1400 overhent?a1400 restay?a1400 seizea1400 tachec1400 arrest1481 carrya1500 collara1535 snap1568 overgo1581 surprise1592 nibble1608 incaptivate1611 nicka1640 cop1704 chop1726 nail1735 to give a person the foot1767 capture1796 hooka1800 sniba1801 net1803 nib1819 prehend1831 corral1860 rope1877 1608 T. Middleton Trick to catch Old-one i. sig. B3^v The Roague has spied me now, hee nibled me finely once too. 1843 W. T. Moncrieff Scamps of London iii. i You are spliced—nibbled at last—well, I wish you joy. 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) viii, in Writings I. 75 A nice job I've had to nibble him. b. transitive. To steal, pilfer. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > petty theft or pilfering > pilfer [verb (transitive)] mitcha1393 pelfa1400 purloinc1475 prowl?1529 finger1530 pilfer1532 lurchc1565 filch1567 filch1574 proloyne1581 nim1606 hook1615 truff1718 snaffle1725 crib1735 pettifog1759 magg1762 niffle1785 cabbage1793 weed1811 nibble1819 cab1825 smouch1826 snuga1859 mooch1862 attract1891 souvenir1897 rat1906 snipe1909 promote1918 salvage1918 smooch1941 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 191 Nibble, to pilfer trifling articles, not having spirit to touch any thing of consequence. 1821 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Nov. 428/1 Bloody sessions to you, you ould tub of the devil!—May every tester you have nibbled from poor Michael Brennan..turn a red-hot shot to sink and to confound you! †5. intransitive. slang. To engage in sexual intercourse. Cf. niggle v.¹ Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse playOE to do (also work) one's kindc1225 bedc1315 couple1362 gendera1382 to go togetherc1390 to come togethera1398 meddlea1398 felterc1400 companya1425 swivec1440 japea1450 mellc1450 to have to do with (also mid, of, on)1474 engender1483 fuck?a1513 conversec1540 jostlec1540 confederate1557 coeate1576 jumble1582 mate1589 do1594 conjoin1597 grind1598 consortc1600 pair1603 to dance (a dance) between a pair of sheets1608 commix1610 cock1611 nibble1611 wap1611 bolstera1616 incorporate1622 truck1622 subagitate1623 occupya1626 minglec1630 copulate1632 fere1632 rut1637 joust1639 fanfreluche1653 carnalize1703 screw1725 pump1730 correspond1756 shag1770 hump1785 conjugate1790 diddle1879 to get some1889 fuckeec1890 jig-a-jig1896 perform1902 rabbit1919 jazz1920 sex1921 root1922 yentz1923 to make love1927 rock1931 mollock1932 to make (beautiful) music (together)1936 sleep1936 bang1937 lumber1938 to hop into bed (with)1951 to make out1951 ball1955 score1960 trick1965 to have it away1966 to roll in the hay1966 to get down1967 poontang1968 pork1968 shtup1969 shack1976 bonk1984 boink1985 1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle i. 191 I would give but too much money to be nibbling with that wench. 1653 J. Shirley Cardinal iv. 39 Sec. A spirited Lady, would I had her in my closet... Cel. I do suspect this fellow would be nibling. 1686 On Ladies of Honour (Harl. 7319) f. 426 At the Princesses Ladies I fain wou'd be nibling. 6. intransitive. Cricket colloquial. Of a batter: to play tentatively and indecisively at a ball bowled outside the off stump. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (intransitive)] > types of stroke chop1776 mow1844 crump1850 poke1851 cut1857 swipe1857 glance1898 glide1899 cart1903 nibble1926 on-drive1930 slash1955 cover-drive1960 push1963 1926 P. F. Warner Fight for Ashes 16 Bardsley..showed a distinct weakness in nibbling at good-length balls outside the off-stump. 1932 E. Blunden Face of Eng. 71 ‘Tom's out.’ ‘He shouldn't have nibbled at that.’ 2001 Times 21 Mar. i. 35/2 After the break, McGrath struck again as the home captain nibbled at an off-cutter. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.a1525v.a1500
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