dribble

n 1: the formation and falling of drops of liquid; "there's a

drip through the roof" [syn: {drip}, {trickle}]

2: saliva spilling from the mouth [syn: {drool}, {drivel}, {slobber}]

3: the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks [syn: {dribbling}]

v 1: run or flow slowly, or in an unsteady stream: "reports began

to dribble in." [syn: {trickle}, {filter}]

2: let or cause to fall in drops; "dribble oil into the

mixture" [syn: {drip}]

3: move, as in hockey or soccer; "Carry the ball" [syn: {carry}]

4: let saliva drivel from the mouth; "The baby drooled" [syn: {drivel},

{drool}, {slabber}, {slaver}, {slobber}]

nibble

/nib'l/ (US "nybble", by analogy with "bite" -> "byte")

Half a {byte}. Since a byte is nearly always eight {bits}, a

nibble is nearly always four bits (and can therefore be

represented by one {hex} digit).

Other size nibbles have existed, for example the {BBC

Microcomputer} disk file system used eleven bit sector numbers

which were described as one byte (eight bits) and a nibble

(three bits).

Compare {crumb}, {tayste}, {dynner}; see also {bit}, {nickle},

{deckle}.

The spelling "nybble" is uncommon in {Commonwealth Hackish} as

British orthography suggests the pronunciation /ni:'bl/.

(1997-12-03)