nibble Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small byte
    nybble.
  2. noun gentle biting
  3. verb bite off very small pieces
    • She nibbled on her cracker
  4. verb bite gently
    • The woman tenderly nibbled at her baby's ear
  5. verb eat intermittently; take small bites of
    piece; pick.
    • He pieced at the sandwich all morning
    • She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles

WordNet

Nib"ble transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. Nip.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Nibbled ; present participle & verbal noun Nibbling
Definitions
  1. To bite by little at a time; to seize gently with the mouth; to eat slowly or in small bits.
    Thy turfy mountains, where live nibbling sheep. Shak.
Nib"ble transitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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.
    Instead of returning a full answer to my book, he manifestly falls a-nibbling at one single passage. Tillotson.
Nib"ble noun
Definitions
  1. A small or cautious bite. 2. a tentative expression of interest [MW10].

Webster 1913