nub

or knub

[ nuhb ]

noun

1. the point, gist, or heart of something.
2. a knob or protuberance.
3. a lump or small piece:

   a nub of coal; a nub of pencil.

4. a small mass of fibers produced on a card, dyed brilliant colors, and introduced into yarn during the spinning process.

nub

/ nʌb /

noun

1. a small lump or protuberance
2. a small piece or chunk
3. the point or gist

   the nub of a story

4. a small fibrous knot in yarn

Derived Forms

• ˈnubbly, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nub¹

1585–95; < Low German, Middle Low German knubbe; knob

Word History and Origins

Origin of nub¹

C16: variant of knub, from Middle Low German knubbe knob

Example Sentences

But civil discourse has been ground down to a useless nub at this point, and a presidential candidate can share crude jokes about his opponent with barely a blip in the news cycle.

From Salon

The nub of it is - the new UK government now knows it will be dealing with a new administration in Washington within six months, whatever happens.

From BBC

“It’s got the delicate bits that could be broken,” she says as she rubs her fingers on one of the two narrow nubs framing the chair.

From Los Angeles Times

The worn nubs of the first wharf can still be seen at times in low tide, and other parts of the structure have managed to survive the test of time.

From Los Angeles Times

But the nub of the issue for him is “how” they produce this art, the range of artists they’re inviting in, the openness to new forms and collaborative modalities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crux
• upshot