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)