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nib - 7 dictionary results

nib

  [nib]
Use nib in a Sentence
–noun
1. the point of a pen, or either of its divisions.
2. a penpoint for insertion into a penholder.
3. a point of anything: a cutting tool with a diamond nib.
4. a bill or beak, as of a bird; neb.
5. any pointed extremity.
6. Metallurgy.
a. a piece of sintered tungsten carbide used as a die for drawing wire or the like.
b. (in powder metallurgy) a compact at any stage of its manufacture.
Origin:
1575–85; perh. var. of neb; cf. D nib, MLG nibbe (var. of nebbe) beak, ON nibba sharp point. See nibble

Related forms:
niblike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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nib   (nĭb)   
n.  
    1. The sharpened point of a quill pen.
    2. A tapered point of a pen, designed to be inserted into a penholder or fountain pen.
  2. A sharp point or tip.
  3. A bird's beak or bill.

[Alteration of neb.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Nib

Nib\, n. [A variabt of neb.]

1. A small and pointed thing or part; a point; a prong. "The little nib or fructifying principle." --Sir T. Browne.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The bill or beak of a bird; the neb.

3. The points of a pen; also, the pointed part of a pen; a short pen adapted for insertion in a holder.

4. One of the handles which project from a scythe snath; also, [Prov. Eng.], the shaft of a wagon.

Nib

Nib\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nebbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Nibbing.] To furnish with a nib; to point; to mend the point of; as, to nib a pen.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : nib
Spanish: plumilla, punta,
German: die Schreibfeder,
Japanese: ペン先
More Translations »

nib 
1585, "beak or bill of a bird," Scot. variant of O.E. neb, from P.Gmc. *nabjan (see neb). Meaning "point" (of a pen or quill) first recorded 1611.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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.
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NIB
  1. National Industries for the Blind
  2. Nordic Investment Bank
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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