Nubbles

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Small rounded lumps or knobs that stick out from a surface, such as bumps in fabric or a rough texture
2. Tiny protruding bumps or knots that form on a surface, often in woven cloth or yarn
3. Little rounded protrusions or lumps projecting from a material, giving it an uneven, textured appearance

Etymology: "Nubbles" is the plural of "nubble," a small knobby lump, and the word is a diminutive of "knub," a related form meaning a knob or protuberance. The source links it to Low German "nubben," meaning to knock or cuff, which suggests the underlying idea is something struck or knocked into a rounded bump. That connection rests on a single comparison, so it is best read as a probable kinship rather than a fully traced path.

Synonyms: nub, lump, knob