nib
[ nib ]
/ nɪb /
noun
the point of a pen, or either of its divisions.
a penpoint for insertion into a penholder.
a point of anything: a cutting tool with a diamond nib.
a bill or beak, as of a bird; neb.
any pointed extremity.
Metallurgy.
- a piece of sintered tungsten carbide used as a die for drawing wire or the like.
- (in powder metallurgy) a compact at any stage of its manufacture.
Nearby words
Origin of nib
Related forms
nib·like, adjectiveDefinition for nib (2 of 2)
nibs
[ nibz ]
/ nɪbz /
noun
his/her nibs, Informal: Often Facetious. a person in authority, especially one who is demanding and tyrannical: His nibs wants fresh strawberries in December.
Origin of nibs
First recorded in 1815–25; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for nib
British Dictionary definitions for nib (1 of 2)
nib
/ (nɪb) /
noun
the writing point of a pen, esp an insertable tapered metal part with a split tip
a point, tip, or beak
(plural) crushed cocoa beans
verb nibs, nibbing or nibbed (tr)
to provide with a nib
to prepare or sharpen the nib of
Derived Forms
niblike, adjectiveWord Origin for nib
C16 (in the sense: beak): origin obscure; compare Northern German nibbe tip. See neb, nibble
British Dictionary definitions for nib (2 of 2)
nibs
/ (nɪbz) /
noun
his nibs (functioning as singular) slang a mock title used of someone in authority
Word Origin for nibs
C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medicine definitions for nib
nib
[ nĭb ]
n.
The smooth or serrated portion of a dental instrument that comes into contact with restorative material being condensed.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.