1
- take small bites out of啃; 一点点地咬（或吃）：
with obj. he sat nibbling a biscuit他坐在那里啃一块饼干
no obj. she nibbled at her food.她小口地吃着食物。
1.1
- no obj. eat in small amounts, especially between meals（尤指两餐间）断断续续吃少量东西。
1.2
- gently bite at (a part of the body), especially amorously or nervously（尤指挑逗性地或紧张地）轻咬（身体某部位）：
with obj. Tamar nibbled her bottom lip塔玛轻咬着她的下嘴唇
no obj. he nibbled at her earlobe.他轻咬着她的耳垂。
1.3
- figurative gradually erode or eat away〈喻〉蚕食：
no obj. inflation was nibbling away at spending power.通货膨胀正在蚕食着消费力。
1.4
- no obj. figurative show cautious interest in a project or proposal〈喻〉（对计划或建议）表现出谨慎的兴趣：
there's an American agent nibbling.
有个美国的代理商表现出谨慎的兴趣。
in sing.
1- an instance of nibbling something啃; 一点点地咬; 轻咬。
1.1
- a small piece of food bitten off（咬下的）少量食物。
1.2
nibbles
informal small savoury snacks, typically eaten before a meal or with drinks〈非正式〉（尤指餐前或下酒的）开胃菜。
1.3
- informal a show of interest in a commercial opportunity〈非正式〉对商业机会感兴趣的表示。
词源
late 15th cent.: probably of Low German or Dutch origin: compare with Low German nibbeln 'gnaw'.