nibble

Nibble is to take small bites, or to eat little snacks between meals, or to wear away a little bit at a time.

(verb)

When you take just a few small bites of cheese, this is an example of when you nibble.
When you grab a piece of an apple, then a few cookies as a snack between meals, this is an example of a nibble.
When you constantly find reasons to prove points in an argument, this is an example of how to nibble away at an opponent's argument.

The definition of a nibble is a small amount of food, or an expression of possible interest in something.

(noun)

One bite of an apple is an example of a nibble.
A phone call back about a business plan you've been proposing is an example of a nibble.

See nibble in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb nibbled, nibbling

to eat (food) with quick bites, taking only a small amount at a time, as a mouse does
to bite at with small, gentle bites

Origin: LME nebyllen, prob. akin to MLowG nibbelen: for IE base see nip

intransitive verb

to take small, cautious, or gentle bites: usually with at
to show little interest in food by taking only small bites intermittently: usually with at

noun

Related Forms:

See nibble in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb nib·bled, nib·bling, nib·bles

verb, transitive

To bite at gently and repeatedly.
To eat with small, quick bites or in small morsels: nibble a cracker.
To wear away or diminish bit by bit: “If you start compromising too early . . . they nibble you to death” (People).

verb, intransitive

To take small or hesitant bites: fish nibbling at the bait.

noun