Nub
/nʌb/noun
A small lump or protuberance, or the essential core of something.
Did you know?The word’s older sense is a protruding lump or knob, and its “essence/core” meaning likely grew from that physical idea of the most noticeable bit.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hnopp
“a knob, lump, or swelling”
Middle English
ME
nubbe
“a lump, knob, or protuberance”
16th Century
English
nub
“a rounded lump or projecting point”
19th Century
English
nub
“the gist, core, or essential part of something”
Modern English
English
nub
“a small lump or the essential point of a matter”