nib

Most often, this word means the tip of a pen, especially a fountain pen or a dip pen. It is the small metal point that touches the paper and controls how the ink flows. If you enjoy chocolate, you may also know cacao nibs, which are small broken pieces of roasted cacao beans with a rich, bitter taste.

In a broader sense, the word can also mean a small point, piece, or projection. It has also been used for a bird's beak. Whether you are writing a letter or sprinkling cacao pieces on yogurt, the idea is usually the same: something small, pointed, or broken off from a larger whole.

The word "nib" is small, but it shows up in a few clear and useful ways. Most commonly, it means the tip of a pen, especially on a fountain pen, dip pen, or similar writing tool. This is the part that meets the paper and shapes the line, so people who care about handwriting or calligraphy often pay close attention to it. A fine nib, a broad nib, and a flexible nib can all change the look of the writing.

The word also appears in food. Cacao nibs are small pieces of roasted and broken cacao beans. They are crunchy, dark, and a little bitter, and people add them to yogurt, granola, baked goods, or smoothies for texture and strong chocolate flavor.

Beyond those common uses, "nib" can mean a small point, tip, or projection on an object. In older or more specialized usage, it can also mean a bird's beak. These meanings are connected by the same basic picture: a small pointed part, or a small piece taken from something larger.