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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Nickel \Nick"el\, n. [G., fr. Sw. nickel, abbrev. from Sw.
kopparnickel copper-nickel, a name given in derision, as it
was thought to be a base ore of copper. The origin of the
second part of the word is uncertain. Cf. {Kupfer-nickel},
{Copper-nickel}.]
1. (Chem.) A bright silver-white metallic element of atomic
number 28. It is of the iron group, and is hard,
malleable, and ductile. It occurs combined with sulphur in
millerite, with arsenic in the mineral niccolite, and with
arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni. Atomic
weight 58.70.
[1913 Webster]

Note: On account of its permanence in air and inertness to
oxidation, it is used in the smaller coins, for plating
iron, brass, etc., for chemical apparatus, and in
certain alloys, as german silver. It is magnetic, and
is very frequently accompanied by cobalt, both being
found in meteoric iron.
[1913 Webster]

2. A small coin made of or containing nickel; esp., a
five-cent piece. [Colloq. U.S.]
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{Nickel silver}, an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc; --
usually called {german silver}; called also {argentan}.
[1913 Webster]