nibbling en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈnɪb(ə)lɪŋ/ (General-American)
- (General-American) audio
- /ˈnɪblɪŋ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
Etymology tree English nibble Middle English -ynge English -ing English nibbling From nibble + -ing.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The act or sound of one who nibbles.
Minute nibblings and rustlings broke the silence.
1941, Virginia Woolf, Between the Acts:
-
(countable, uncountable) A small adjustment or encroachment.
Meantime the penetration of Shantung by means of railway discrimination, railway military guards, continual nibblings here and there, will be going on.
1921, John Dewey, China, Japan, and the USA:I send you back the two last sheets, because you bid me. I reserve my nibblings and minutiae for another day.
1821, The British Prose Writers: Gray's letters, page 26:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| nibblings | Number=Plur | lexicographic |