dibble

[ dib-uhl ]

noun

1. Also dib·ber [] a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

verb (used with object)

, dib·bled, dib·bling.

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)

, dib·bled, dib·bling.

1. to work with a dibble.

dibble

¹

/ ˈdɪbəl /

verb

1. See dib
   a variant of dib
2. See dabble
   a less common word for dabble

dibble

²

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

1. slang.
   a policeman

dibble

³

/ ˈdɪbəl /

noun

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

verb

1. to make a hole in (the ground) with a dibble
2. to plant (bulbs, seeds, etc) with a dibble

Derived Forms

• ˈdibbler, noun

Other Words From

• dibbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dibble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dibble¹

C20: allusion to the police officer of that name in the children's animated cartoon Top Cat

Origin of dibble²

C15: of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Dibble was subsequently named deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in London.

From The Daily Beast

Jones and Dibble were responsible for security in Libya, Maxwell and three State Department officials said.

From The Daily Beast

The House vote was followed three days later by a vote in the Senate, led by Scott Dibble, an openly gay senator.

From The Daily Beast

Ann Dibble Jordan is a former Chicagoan with deep ties to the University of Chicago, where she is a trustee emeritus.

From The Daily Beast

A dibble made of a round and sharp-pointed stick is the usual tool for making holes when setting tomato and other plants.

From Project Gutenberg

“A dibble and a corn-dropper will be more in his way than the rifle, for some weeks to come,” said Mr. Howell.

From Project Gutenberg

I saw you always used the right leg to jam down the dibble with, and then you kicked the hole full with the right heel.

From Project Gutenberg

The soles of their feet were sore with the pressure needed to jam the dibble through the tough turf.

From Project Gutenberg

Put the plant in its place, thrust the dibble down at a sharp angle with the plant, and below it, and move it up to it.

From Project Gutenberg