nibus.html - noun Also written nybble (Science and Technology ) In computing jargon, half a byte ( four 'bits') of information . Etymology : Formed humorously on byte, treating it as the same word as bite; something which is only half as big as a byte. History and Usage: Nibble began as a piece of computer programmers' slang in the seventies and soon found its way into print in technical sources. It remains largely an 'in' joke in computing, but sometimes appears in popular magazines for enthusiasts and explanations of computing for the layperson. The quarter-frame message breaks down the SMPTE number into 'nibbles', or pieces of bytes (I didn't make this up), and the second byte of each message is one nibble. Keyboard Mar. 1990, p. 94

nibus.html - n. & v.
--n.

1 the point of a pen, which touches the writing surface.
2 (in pl.) shelled and crushed coffee or cocoa beans.
3 the point of a tool etc.

--v.

(nibbed, nibbing)
1 tr. provide with a nib.
2 tr. mend the nib of.
3 tr. & intr. nibble. [prob. f. MDu. nib or MLG nibbe, var. of nebbe NEB]

nibus.html - v. & n.
--v.

1 tr. & (foll. by at) intr. a take small bites at. b eat in small amounts. c bite at gently or cautiously or playfully.
2 intr. (foll. by at) show cautious interest in.

--n.

1 an instance of nibbling.
2 a very small amount of food.
3 Computing half a byte, i.e.
4 bits.

nibbler n. [prob. of LG or Du. orig.: cf. LG nibbeln gnaw]

nibus.html - n.
Golf an iron with a large round heavy head, used esp. for playing out of bunkers. [19th c.: orig. unkn.]

nibus.html - n.

his nibs joc. colloq. a mock title used with reference to an important or self-important person. [19th c.: orig. unkn. (cf. earlier nabs)]

nibus.html - {n.}, {informal} Someone who acts too good to be true; a prude; a prig. * /We took him for a nice Nelly when he wouldn't fight./