nim

1 of 2

verb

nimmed; nimming

nim

2 of 2

noun

: any of various games in which counters are laid out in one or more piles and each player in turn draws one or more counters with the object of taking the last counter, forcing the opponent to take it, or taking the most or fewest counters

Word History

Etymology

Verb

earlier, "to take," going back to Middle English nimen, going back to Old English niman — more at nimble

Noun

probably from nim entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nim was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near nim

Cite this Entry

“Nim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nim. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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