/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)
