Main Entry:: nick·el
Variant(s):: also nick·le \ˈni-kəl\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: probably from Swedish nickel, from German Kupfernickel niccolite (mineral containing nickel arsenide) probably from Kupfer copper + Nickel goblin; from the deceptive copper color of niccolite
Date:: 1755

1: a silver-white hard malleable ductile metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion that is used chiefly in alloys and as a catalyst — see element table2 a (1): the United States 5-cent piece regularly containing 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper (2): the Canadian 5-cent piece b: five cents3slang : a packet containing five dollars worth of an illicit drug (as marijuana) —called also nickel bag4: a pass defense in football that employs five defensive backs

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