nipple

• neple, nypil (obsolete)

From earlier neple, nypil, *neble, believed to be a diminutive of nib, neb (“tip, point”), equivalent to nib +‎ -le.

• IPA^(key): /ˈnɪp(ə)l/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪpəl

A woman's breasts, with the nipple indicated.

a pipe nipple ("connector")

spoke nipples

nipple (plural nipples)

1. (anatomy) The projection of a mammary gland from which, on female mammals, milk is secreted. [from 16th c.]
2. A mechanical device through which liquids or gases can be passed in a regulated manner. [from 16th c.]
3. An artificial nipple (definition 1) used for bottle-feeding infants. [from 17th c.]
4. Any small physical protrusion, such as the lumps on the F and J keys on American keyboards.
5. Any small physical protrusion on an automotive, a machine part or any other part that fits into a groove on another part.
6. (now chiefly historical) A perforated segment that fits into the muzzle of a breech-loading gun, on which the percussion cap is fixed. [from 19th c.]
   • 2013, Philipp Meyer, The Son, Simon & Schuster 2014, p. 23:

     I could tell he didn't agree but he went to the corner and took up his squirrel gun, feeling the nipple for a percussion cap.

7. (chiefly US) A short tube threaded at both ends, used as a connector. [from 19th c.]
8. An internally threaded piece which holds a bicycle spoke in place on the rim. [from 20th c.]

   Turn the nipples on to the bicycle spokes only one turn, for each spoke on the new wheel all the way around until they are all snug, then check alignment.

• See also Thesaurus:nipples
• (mammary gland, artificial mammary gland): teat
• (mammary gland): tit

• grease nipple
• slippery nipple
• Batnipples

nipple (third-person singular simple present nipples, present participle nippling, simple past and past participle nippled)

1. (transitive) To fit (a baby's bottle, etc.) with a nipple.
2. (transitive) To give one's nipple to (a baby) to allow breastfeeding.

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