Nip"ple (?), n. [Formerly neble, a dim. of neb. See Neb, Nib.]
1. Anat.
The protuberance through which milk is drawn from the breast or mamma; the mammilla; a teat; a pap.
2.
The orifice at which any animal liquid, as the oil from an oil bag, is discharged.
[R.]
Derham.
3.
Any small projection or article in which there is an orifice for discharging a fluid, or for other purposes; as, the nipple of a nursing bottle; the nipple of a percussion lock, or that part on which the cap is put and through which the fire passes to the charge.
4. Mech.
A pipe fitting, consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings.
Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the end of a lead pipe by soldering.
© Webster 1913.