Word
nib
US/ˈnɪb/
UK/nˈɪb/
Definition
n. the pointed metal part at the end of a pen that touches the paper to let the ink flow.
n. the pointed metal tip of a fountain pen or dip pen that distributes ink onto a writing surface.
Examples
“He replaced the old nib to make his handwriting smoother.”
“The calligrapher chose a broad nib to create the thick, dramatic strokes required for the wedding invitations.”
“While modern ballpoint pens are convenient, many enthusiasts prefer the tactile feedback and line variation offered by a high-quality gold nib on a fountain pen.”
Examples
simple
“He replaced the old nib to make his handwriting smoother.”
contextual
“The calligrapher chose a broad nib to create the thick, dramatic strokes required for the wedding invitations.”
complex
“While modern ballpoint pens are convenient, many enthusiasts prefer the tactile feedback and line variation offered by a high-quality gold nib on a fountain pen.”
Usage
Commonly refers to the metal writing point; can also describe the point of a quill or a small piece of a cocoa bean.
Real-World Examples
“Matagalpa and Jinotema farms, sitting near 1,200 meters, deliver cocoa nib depth alongside almond undertones, while washed processing sharpens fruit acidity balance toward cherry and plum.” Etymology
From a variant of neb, perhaps due to association with nibble.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.