his nibs


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Someone who gives a command or makes a demand, often one who acts in a self-important manner, sometimes one with authority; - used mockingly as a jocose term, as if a title of honor, but not usually in the presence of the person referred to, and usually indicating resentment or contempt.

See also: Nib

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.
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You had to push your nib with the finger-nail so as to get the point of it over your opponent's, while he manoeuvred to prevent this and to get the point of his nib over the back of yours; when this result was achieved you breathed on the ball of your thumb, pressed it hard on the two nibs, and if you were able then to lift them without dropping either, both nibs became yours.
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