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 table
2 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 cents
3 slang : a packet containing five dollars worth of an illicit drug (as marijuana) —called also nickel bag
4 : a pass defense in football that employs five defensive backs