nub (n.)

"knob, lump, bump, protuberance," 1590s, variant of dialectal knub, which is probably a variant of knob. Figurative meaning "point, gist" is attested by 1834.

Entries linking to nub

knob (n.)

late 14c., knobe, probably from a Scandinavian or German source (compare Middle Low German knobbe "knob," Middle Dutch cnoppe, Dutch knop, Old Frisian knopp, knapp, Old High German knopf, German Knopf "button," Old Norse knyfill "short horn"). Meaning "knoll, isolated round hill" is first recorded 1640s, especially in U.S. For pronunciation, see kn-.

nubbin (n.)

"stunted ear of corn," 1690s, American English colloquial diminutive of nub. General sense of "small piece" is from 1857.

nubby (adj.)

"full of entanglements or imperfections," 1864, from nub + -y (2). Nubbly, "having numerous knobs or lumps," is from 1814.

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updated on July 15, 2019

Definitions of nub from WordNet

nub (n.)

a small lump or protuberance;

Synonyms: nubble

nub (n.)

a small piece;

a nub of coal

Synonyms: stub

nub (n.)

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;

the nub of the story

Synonyms: kernel / substance / core / center / centre / essence / gist / heart / heart and soul / inwardness / marrow / meat / pith / sum / nitty-gritty

Etymologies are not definitions. From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near nub

noxious

nozzle

nth

nuance

nuanced

nub

nubbin

nubby

Nubia

Nubian

nubile