nibble

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nibble

[′nib·əl]

(computer science)

A unit of computger storage or information equal to one-half a byte.

nibble

(data)

/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/.

nibble

Half a byte (four bits).

References in periodicals archive ?

Time to put it right and pay a visit to Nibble - and be rewarded with some of the best cakes and brownies in the Northern Quarter.

a girl gang with bite; an unassuming cafe on oldham street in manchester might have gone under the radar until now - but it deserves a wider audience

The dad-of-four has revealed he nibbles on spicy red chillies in the morning instead of drinking coffee.

TV Jamie's very chilli mornings

These are three simple bites which are perfect for summer dining as a starter or a side, or just something to nibble on.

Have a nibble; Steer away from traditional nuts and crisps and try these simple but interesting bites

Party platter and two nibble bowl set, pounds 33, www.

Let's get the party started; bargain hunt

What they say Garra Rufa fish, otherwise known as Doctor Fish, Nibble Fish and Little Dermatologists, are tiny fish used widely in feet therapy in China and South East Asia to remove dead skin and help with skin complaints.

is it worth it? Claire Rees tried the Garra Rufa fish pedicure at the new Year of the Tiger Health Spa in Penylan, Cardiff

Visitors can sit in comfort while dangling their legs into a tank of water containing around 150 of the toothless carp and let them nibble away at tough skin flakes.

Feels toe good! Unusual treatment

Zak has designed several mealtime products, one product being the Nibble Tray.

Doctor's orders

com) is unveiling a new line of digital sensors in late 2009 to replace analog versions, The sensors use the Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) protocol: one "nibble" refers to 4 bits of data transmitted per pulse.

Hella's SENT senior

garra ruffa - a toothless water dweller known as "doctor fish" (that's one of the nippers above) - nibble away at dead skin while leaving healthy flesh untouched.

Somefin to touch your sole

Instead, they swim over to tiny "cleaner" fish, which nibble off their crusty skin deposits.

Fishy cleaners

The cleaner-client system appears to be a case of indirect reciprocity, where a fish works attentively and holds back on taking a tasty nibble of the client's protective mucus coating, which would incite a jolt and perhaps a chase.

Fishy reputations: undersea watchers choose helpers that do good jobs

From the Five Mean Machines stories to Nightmare Jobs, you can devour this as an elaborately coursed meal, or nibble on it one morsel at a time.