1. the pointed end part of a pen, which distributes the ink on the writing surface.
▪ a pointed or projecting part of an object: "slide the tile into place until the nibs hook on"
2. shelled and crushed coffee or cocoa beans.
▪ small pieces of caramel, licorice, or other sweets.US
Word Originlate 16th century (in the sense ‘beak, nose’): probably from Middle Dutch nib or Middle Low German nibbe, variant of nebbe ‘beak’ (see neb).
