n. [ G., fr. Sw. nickel, abbrev. from Sw. kopparnickel copper-nickel, a name given in derision, as it was thought to be a base ore of copper. The origin of the second part of the word is uncertain. Cf. Kupfer-nickel, Copper-nickel. ] 1. (Chem.) A bright silver-white metallic element of atomic number 28. It is of the iron group, and is hard, malleable, and ductile. It occurs combined with sulphur in millerite, with arsenic in the mineral niccolite, and with arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni. Atomic weight 58.70. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ On account of its permanence in air and inertness to oxidation, it is used in the smaller coins, for plating iron, brass, etc., for chemical apparatus, and in certain alloys, as german silver. It is magnetic, and is very frequently accompanied by cobalt, both being found in meteoric iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small coin made of or containing nickel; esp., a five-cent piece. [ Colloq. U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Nickel silver, an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc; -- usually called german silver; called also argentan. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. nickel-and-dimed or nickeled-and-dimed p. pr. & vb. n. nickel-and-diming or nickeling-and-diming. ] 1. To harass or annoy with petty demands or for trivial reasons; specifically, to insist on minor concessions in a negotiation. [ PJC ]

2. To weaken or impair gradually or by small steps; as, to be nickel-and-dimed into bankruptcy by the operating overhead. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

a. 1. Trivial; unimportant; petty; as, nickel-and-dime criticisms. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

2. Involving only small amounts of money; small-time; as, a nickel-and-dime business operation. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, nickel; specifically, designating compounds in which, as contrasted with the nickelous compounds, the metal has a higher valence; as nickelic oxide. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Nickel + -ferous. ] Containing nickel; as, nickelferous iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Chem.) An alloy of nickel, a variety of German silver. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Min.) Niccolite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Nickel + odeon. ] 1. A place of entertainment, as for moving picture exhibition, charging a fee or admission price of five cents. [ U. S. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. An early version of a jukebox that was operated by insertion of a nickel{ 2 }. [ PJC ]

3. (capitalized) The name of a Cable Television channel, specializing in programs for children. [ Trademark ] [ PJC ]

a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, those compounds of nickel in which, as contrasted with the nickelic compounds, the metal has a lower valence; as, nickelous oxide. Frankland. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A kind of cast steel containing nickel, which greatly increases its strength. It is used for armor plate, bicycle tubing, propeller shafts, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]