Nipple

Definitions

1. The projection of a mammary gland from which, on female therian mammals, milk is secreted.
2. The nipple (definition 1) and the areola together.
3. A mechanical device through which liquids or gases can be passed in a regulated manner.
4. An artificial nipple (definition 1) used for bottle-feeding infants.
5. Any small physical protrusion, such as the lumps on the F and J keys on computer keyboards.
6. Any small physical protrusion on an automotive, a machine part or any other part that fits into a groove on another part.
7. A perforated segment that fits into part of the breech of a muzzle-loading gun, on which the percussion cap is fixed.
   historical
8. A short tube threaded at both ends, used as a connector.
   US
9. An internally threaded piece which holds a bicycle spoke in place on the rim.
10. A pointing stick.
    humorous

Equivalents

Examples

“Mary felt annoyed at the girl; just because bras had become⟳ passé, did a girl with so pronounced a bosom have⟳ to cater to fashion? In this case practicality dictated a bra, and Mary stood at the desk feeling herself flushing with disapproval. And artificial nipple-dilation; it was just too much.”

“Joan Trieste wore skin-tight dark pants and slippers and a cotton man’s-style shirt; as far as he could tell⟳, she had on no bra, as fashion dictated, but her nipples were merely flat dark circles beneath the white cotton fabric of her shirt: she could not afford⟳ or did not care to have⟳ the currently-popular dilation operation.”

“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.”

“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.”

“These were first constructed by heading the spokes, threading them through a steel felloe or rim and inserting them into screwed nipples which were in their turn⟳ screwed into the flanges of the hub.”

CEFR level