nib

[ nib ]

noun

1. the point of a pen, or either of its divisions.
2. a penpoint for insertion into a penholder.
3. a point of anything:

   a cutting tool with a diamond nib.

4. a bill or beak, as of a bird; neb.
5. any pointed extremity.
6. Metallurgy.
   1. a piece of sintered tungsten carbide used as a die for drawing wire or the like.
   2. (in powder metallurgy) a compact at any stage of its manufacture.

nib

/ nɪb /

noun

1. the writing point of a pen, esp an insertable tapered metal part with a split tip
2. a point, tip, or beak
3. plural crushed cocoa beans

verb

1. to provide with a nib
2. to prepare or sharpen the nib of

Derived Forms

• ˈnibˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• niblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nib¹

1575–85; perhaps variant of neb; compare Dutch nib, Middle Low German nibbe (variant of nebbe ) beak, Old Norse nibba sharp point. See nibble

Word History and Origins

Origin of nib¹

C16 (in the sense: beak): origin obscure; compare Northern German nibbe tip. See neb , nibble

Example Sentences

During production, cacao beans are separated into meaty solids, known as nibs, and a fatty portion called cocoa butter.

From National Geographic

The cherry nib recipe is my current favorite — we subbed out nuts for cacao nibs, which give it an addictive texture.

From Salon

The enormous patina-green fountain pen juts over the sidewalk on F Street, two blocks from the White House, its gold nib pointing down at the front doors like a command.

From Washington Post

Baynton created a new pen nib specifically for the inked outlines, and the team used real animals as reference for their movements.

From Los Angeles Times

This process, imported from the chocolate-obsessed Netherlands, ground the cacao nibs into finer, less noticeable pieces and better separated the cocoa butter, resulting in a more palatable "eating chocolate."

From Salon

Related Words

• element
• footprint
• fragment
• hint
• indication
• particle
• proof
• relic
• remains
• remnant
• shred
• smell
• speck
• strain
• taste
• tinge
• touch
• vestige
• whiff