nugget
UK: ˈnʌɡɪt | US: ˈnʌɡɪt
n. a small lump of gold or other precious metal found in the earth
n. a small, solid piece of food (e.g., chicken nugget)
n. (informal) a valuable piece of information or fact
The word "nugget" emerged in the mid-19th century during the California Gold Rush, originally referring to small lumps of gold found in riverbeds. The term combines "nug" (a dialectal term for a lump) with the diminutive suffix "-et," emphasizing its small size. Over time, it expanded to describe other small, solid objects, such as food or valuable bits of information.
The prospector discovered a shiny gold nugget in the creek.
She ordered a box of chicken nuggets for her kids.
His speech was full of interesting nuggets of wisdom.
The geologist showed us a nugget of raw copper.
The book contains historical nuggets about ancient civilizations.