Definition of nibble

The word "nibble" is derived from the Middle English word "nybbeln," which meant "to chip away at" or "to bite and break off small pieces." The origin of this word can be traced back to the Old Norse word "hnybba," which also meant "to gnaw" or "to nip." The Old Norse word was borrowed into Old English, where it was spelled "hnybban." Over time, the Old English pronunciation evolved into "nybblen" in Middle English. This word was used to describe the act of nibbling or taking small bites of food. The original meaning of the word encompassed both the actions of gnawing and biting, but over time its meaning became more specific to describe the act of taking small, nibbling bites of food. The word then spread throughout the English-speaking world and eventually found its way into modern English, where it is commonly used to describe the act of eating small, repeated bites of food. In conclusion, the word "nibble" has its roots in Old Norse, and it describes the action of taking small, repeated bites of food, which can be traced back to the Middle English word "nybbeln" and its Old English predecessor "hnybban."