dibble

American  

[dib-uhl] / ˈdɪb əl /

noun

1. Also dibber a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

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verb (used with object)

dibbles, present (3rd person singular) dibbled, past participle, past dibbling present participle

1. to make a hole (in the ground) with or as if with a dibble.

2. to set (plants) in holes made with a dibble.

verb (used without object)

dibbles, present (3rd person singular) dibbled, past participle, past dibbling present participle

1. to work with a dibble.

dibble ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

1. Also called (esp Brit): dibber.  a small hand tool used to make holes in the ground for planting or transplanting bulbs, seeds, or roots

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verb

1. to make a hole in (the ground) with a dibble

2. to plant (bulbs, seeds, etc) with a dibble

dibble ² British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

verb

1. a variant of dib

2. a less common word for dabble

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dibble ³ British  

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

1. slang a policeman

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dibbler
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have dibbled
  perfect
• has dibbled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am dibbling
  progressive 1st person singular
• is dibbling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been dibbling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• dibbles
  singular 3rd person
• dibbling
  participle
• have been dibbling
  perfect progressive
• are dibbling
  progressive

Past

• had dibbled
  perfect
• dibbled
  participle
• was dibbling
  progressive singular
• had been dibbling
  perfect progressive
• were dibbling
  progressive plural
• dibbled
  simple

Future

• will dibble
  simple
• will have dibbled
  perfect
• will have been dibbling
  perfect progressive
• will be dibbling
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of dibble

1325–75; late Middle English, perhaps akin to dib

Example Sentences

What you have told me, Mr. DIBBLE, concerning the breaking of the engagement between your ward and my nephew, relieves my mind of a load.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 23, September 3, 1870 by Various

I tell you candidly, DIBBLE," said she, in answer to his application, "that if you had applied to be taken yourself, I should have said 'Never!' and at once called in the police.

From Punchinello, Volume 2, No. 29, October 15, 1870 by Various

"This is a strange disappearance," said Mr. DIBBLE.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 22, August 27, 1870 by Various

Well, well," assented Mr. DIBBLE, rising to go, "I'm a perfectly square man, even when I'm looking round, and will do as you wish.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 15, July 9, 1870 by Various

"You think, then," said Mr. DIBBLE, inquiringly, "that it is such a room as two ladies could occupy, without awaking at midnight with a strange sensation and thinking they felt a supernatural presence?"

From Punchinello, Volume 2, No. 29, October 15, 1870 by Various