dibble

[dib-uh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dibble ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Also dib·ber

[dib-er] /ˈdɪb ər/. a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

verb (used with object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

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

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

verb (used without object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

to work with a dibble.

Nearby words

Origin of dibble

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

Related formsdib·bler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dibble

Dibble was subsequently named deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Congress: Hillary’s Benghazi Investigation Let Top Officials Escape Blame|Josh Rogin|September 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Jones and Dibble were responsible for security in Libya, Maxwell and three State Department officials said.
Exclusive: Hillary’s Benghazi ‘Scapegoat’ Speaks Out|Josh Rogin|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They do not plough it, but dibble the corn in without cleaning it, as the burning straw destroys the roots of all the weeds.
The History of Margaret Catchpole|Richard Cobbold
Old Dibble, our drill-sergeant, was very unlike him in most respects, but still he won all our hearts.
Ernest Bracebridge|William H. G. Kingston

Dibble, dib′l, n. a pointed tool used for making holes to put seed or plants in—also Dibb′er.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
She had a tear up cold too, but Dr. Dibble treat her en de cough better now.
Slave Narratives Vol. XIV. South Carolina, Part 1|Various
Dibble, in going back, left his team unfastened, and while he was "smiling" with his jovial companions the team ran away.
Fifty Years In The Northwest|William Henry Carman Folsom

British Dictionary definitions for dibble

dibble

noun

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

verb

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

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

Derived Formsdibbler, noun

Word Origin for dibble

C15: of obscure origin

verb (intr)

a variant of dib

a less common word for dabble

noun

British slang a policeman

Word Origin for dibble

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dibble

dibble

"tool to make a hole in the soil (as to plant seeds)," mid-15c., probably from Middle English dibben (perhaps akin to dip) + instrumental suffix -le. The verb is from 1580s. Related: Dibbled; dibbling.

dibble

noun

verb (used with object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

verb (used without object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of dibble

Examples from the Web for dibble

dibble

noun

verb

Word Origin for dibble

verb (intr)

noun

Word Origin for dibble

dibble