Driblets

Driblets (plural of driblet) refer to small, usually isolated, quantities or amounts of something, especially a liquid, or a small and insignificant part of a larger whole. The word often suggests a gradual or scattered distribution, or a small amount obtained through effort or time. It implies a lack of concentration or abundance. The term can also be used figuratively to describe small, incremental occurrences of events, actions, or thoughts that, while individually minor, may cumulatively contribute to a larger outcome. Its use conveys a sense of something that is scattered or scarce. It can also describe how information, or resources are supplied.

Driblets meaning with examples

• The leaky faucet released small driblets of water, barely enough to wet a fingertip, but enough to annoy the homeowner. These tiny puddles indicated a problem that needed to be immediately addressed by replacing the washer, preventing a future flood of water. Despite the problem, at the moment only minute driblets were apparent.
• He received the inheritance in small driblets over several years, enough to cover bills, yet he constantly found himself with no more money and always barely made enough income to get by. These frequent financial challenges made him more cautious with future plans. The tiny amounts of income made any big investments impossible.
• The rain fell in gentle driblets, a welcome change after weeks of drought, but not enough to fill the reservoir, even if the precipitation fell for days. These small amounts of precipitation made the ground a little more fertile, but the lack of water limited the amount of plants growing. Many wished for a larger amount, but only drips.
• The company released new features in driblets, gathering user feedback after each minor update. The feedback influenced the next small update and each of the driblets built toward a more comprehensive platform, constantly and incrementally improving the software. While not ideal for some, it minimized problems.
• The historian pieced together the story from driblets of information scattered across ancient texts, but this lack of information made a cohesive narrative difficult to assemble. These tiny portions of history were the only clues available, and each new bit provided another small glimpse. Without larger pieces, the big picture remained mysterious.