nubbin

American  

[nuhb-in] / ˈnʌb ɪn /

noun

1. a small lump or stunted piece; stub.

2. a small or imperfect ear of corn.

3. an undeveloped fruit.

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nubbin British  

/ ˈnʌbɪn /

noun

1. something small or undeveloped, esp a fruit or ear of corn

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Etymology

Origin of nubbin

1685–95, perhaps nub + -in, variant of -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The charity said Knobble's nickname was due to a "knobbly nubbin" on top of his dorsal fin.

From BBC

"She surprised us by being born a month prematurely, and then she surprised us again with her little hand," her mother Maria, who said they refer to her fingers as "nubbins".

From BBC

Then continue, as “impossibly, without anyone moving him, he bent forward and climbed unsteadily onto his little nubbin legs. The empty sleeve of his puppet hole hung behind him like a tail.”

From Washington Post

The French toast sticks have a craggy exterior, not unlike the coating of fried chicken, with little nubbins that crackle under tooth.

From Washington Post

It’s a tough pangram, and the answer list had “incubi,” “nubbin,” “bluebell,” “leucine” and “nucleic.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• fruit
• grain
• meat
• morsel
• nut