Definition of "nickel" []

• A silvery, hard, ductile, ferromagnetic metallic element used in alloys, in corrosion-resistant surfaces and batteries, and for electroplating. Atomic number 28; atomic weight 58.69; melting point 1,453°C; boiling point 2,732°C; specific gravity 8.902; valence 0, 1, 2, 3. See Table at element. (noun)
• A U.S. coin worth five cents, made of a nickel and copper alloy. (noun)
• Slang A nickel bag. (noun)
• To coat with nickel. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "They produce on the whole nearly as much copper as nickel, but the nickel is the important substance."
• "He's still a long shot to start, and could be a redshirt candidate, but could also easily see the field in nickel or dime packages early in the year."
• "Cochran, who could help out in nickel and dime packages, also likely will be the Falcons 'holder. —"