1. A metallic alloy of a deep black color.
2. The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.
3. A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.
4. An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.
Nifle
(Ni"fle) n. [OF.] A trifle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Niggard
(Nig"gard) n. [Icel. hnöggr niggardly, stingy + -ard; cf. Sw. njugg, AS. hneáw.] A person meanly
close and covetous; one who spends grudgingly; a stingy, parsimonious fellow; a miser. Chaucer.
A penurious niggard of his wealth.
Milton.
Be niggards of advice on no pretense.
Pope. Niggard
(Nig"gard), a. Like a niggard; meanly covetous or parsimonious; niggardly; miserly; stingy.
Niggard
(Nig"gard), v. t. & i. To act the niggard toward; to be niggardly. [R.] Shak.
Niggardise
(Nig"gard*ise) n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Spenser.
Niggardish
(Nig"gard*ish), a. Somewhat niggard.
Niggardliness
(Nig"gard*li*ness) n. The quality or state of being niggard; meanness in giving or spending; parsimony; stinginess.
Niggardliness is not good husbandry.
Addison. Niggardly
(Nig"gard*ly), a. Meanly covetous or avaricious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.
Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is not for the steward to be niggardly.
Bp. Hall. Syn. — Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing; miserly; penurious; sordid; stingy. See Avaricious.
Niggardly
(Nig"gard*ly), adv. In a niggard manner.
Niggardness
(Nig"gard*ness), n. Niggardliness. Sir P. Sidney.
Niggardous
(Nig"gard*ous) a. Niggardly. [Obs.]
Covetous gathering and niggardous keeping.
Sir T. More. Niggardship
(Nig"gard*ship), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
Niggardy
(Nig"gard*y) n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
nigged
(nigged) n. [Prov. E. nig to clip money.] (Masonry) Hammer-dressed; — said of building stone.
Nigger
(Nig"ger) n. A negro; — in vulgar derision or depreciation.
Niggish
(Nig"gish) a. [See Niggard.] Niggardly. [Obs.]
Niggle
(Nig"gle) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Niggled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Niggling ] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip
money; cf. also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Niggle
(Nig"gle), v. t.
