narratology (nær'э täl´э ji:) •n. the theory and critical study of narrative forms in literature

narrator (nær´eit'эr, -эt-; næ reit´эr, nэ-) •n. 1 a person who relates a story or account 2 a person who reads descriptive or narrative passages, as between scenes of a play [L < narratus: see NARRATE]

narrow (nær´ou, ner´ou) •adj. 1 small in width as compared to length; esp., less wide than is customary, standard, or expected; not wide 2 limited in meaning, size, amount, or extent {a narrow majority} 3 limited in outlook; without breadth of view or generosity; not liberal; prejudiced {a narrow mind} 4 close; careful; minute; thorough {a narrow inspection} 5 with limited margin; with barely enough space, time, etc.; barely successful {a narrow escape} 6 limited in means; with hardly enough to live on {narrow circumstances} Æ 7 having a relatively high proportion of protein: said of livestock feed 8 [Dial.] stingy; parsimonious 9 Phonet. tense: said of certain vowels •vi. to decrease in width; contract {the river narrows} •vt. to decrease or limit in width, extent, or scope; restrict {to narrow an argument} •n. 1 a narrow part or place, esp. in a valley, mountain pass, road, etc. 2 [usually pl.] a narrow passage, as between two bodies of water; strait The Narrows strait between Upper & Lower New York Bay, separating Staten Island & Long Island nar´row·ly •adv. nar´row·ness •n. [ME narwe < OE nearu, akin to MDu nare, OS naru < IE base *(s)ner-, to turn, twist > SNARE, Gr narkē, stupor]

narrow gauge 1 a width, between the rails of a railroad, less than standard (56½ in., or 143.5 cm) Æ 2 a narrow-gauge railroad or car nar´row-gauge' or nar´row-gauged' •adj.

narrowcast (-kæst') -cast', -cast'ing •vt., vi. to transmit, esp. by cable television, to a specialized or selected audience •n. 1 the act of narrowcasting 2 a program that is narrowcast

narrow-minded (-main´did) •adj. limited in outlook or lacking in tolerance; not liberal; bigoted; prejudiced nar´row-mind´ed·ly •adv. nar´row-mind´ed·ness •n.

narthex (när´θeks') •n. 1 in early Christian churches, a porch or portico at the west end for penitents and others not admitted to the church itself 2 any church vestibule leading to the nave [LL(Ec) < LGr(Ec) narthēx < Gr, giant fennel: from a fancied resemblance of the porch to the hollow stem]

narwhal (när´wэl, -hwэl) •n. an arctic toothed whale (Monodon monoceros) of the same family (Monodontidae) as the beluga, valued for its oil and ivory: the male has a long, spiral tusk extending from the upper jaw Also nar´wal (-wэl) or nar´whale' (-hweil') [< Scand, as in Norw & Dan narhval < ON nahvalr, lit., corpse (< IE base *nāu-, death, corpse) + hvalr, WHALE² (with reference to the whitish underside)]

nary (ner´i:) •adj. [Dial.] not any; no: with a or an {nary a doubt} [altered < ne'er a, never a]

NAS 1 National Academy of Sciences 2 naval air station

NASA (næs´э) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

nasal (nei´zэl) •adj. 1 of the nose 2 articulated by means of partial or complete closing of the mouth, as at the velum, alveolar ridge, or lips, so that all or part of the breath passes through the nose, as in the consonants (m), (n), and (ŋ) and certain French vowels 3 characterized by such production of sounds {a nasal voice} •n. 1 a nasal sound or a letter or symbol representing such a sound 2 Anat. a bone or plate of the nose: see SKULL, illus. 3 the protective nosepiece of a helmet [ME < OFr nasal, nasel < L nasus, NOSE] na·sal·i·ty (nei zæl´э ti:) •n. na´sal·ly •adv. [ModL nasalis < L nasus, NOSE]

nasal index 1 in cephalometry, the ratio of the greatest breadth of the nose to its greatest height multiplied by 100 2 in craniometry, the ratio of the greatest breadth of the nasal aperture (of the skull) to its greatest height multiplied by 100

nasalize (nei´zэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to pronounce with a nasal sound •vi. to speak with nasal sounds; talk through the nose na'sal·i·za´tion •n.

Nasby (næz´bi:), Pe·tro·le·um V. (pэ trou´li: эm) (pseud. of David Ross Locke) 1833-88; U.S. humorist

nascent (næs´эnt, nei´sэnt) •adj. 1 coming into being; being born 2 beginning to form, start, grow, or develop: said of ideas, cultures, etc. 3 Chem. designating or of the state of an element just released from a compound and having unusual chemical activity because atoms of the element have not combined to form molecules {nascent chlorine} nas´cence or nas´cen·cy •n. [L nascens, prp. of nasci, to be born: see GENUS]

NASDAQ (næz´dæk) service mark for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations

naseberry (neiz´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. SAPODILLA [Sp níspero, medlar tree, néspero, medlar < L mespilus: see MEDLAR]

Naseby (neiz´bi:) village in Northamptonshire, England: site of a decisive Royalist defeat (1645)

Nash (næsh), Ogden 1902-71; U.S. writer of humorous verse

Nashe (næsh), Thomas 1567-1601; Eng. satirist & pamphleteer: also sp. Nash

Nashua (næsh´u: э, næsh´э wэ) city in S N.H., on the Merrimack River: pop. 80,000 [< Massachusett or a closely related language: meaning uncert.]

Nashville (næsh´vil; locally, -vэl) capital of Tenn., on the Cumberland River: pop. 511,000 (met. area 985,000) [after Gen. Francis Nash (1720-77)]

nasion (nei´zi: än') •n. in craniometry, the point in the skull at which the suture between the two nasal bones meets the suture between these and the frontal bone na´si·al •adj. [ModL < L nasus, NOSE]

naso- (nei´zou, -zэ) combining form 1 nose, nasal {nasoscope} 2 nose and {nasofrontal} Also, before a vowel, nas- [< L nasus, NOSE]

nasofrontal (nei'zou frûnt´ªl) •adj. of the nose and the frontal bone

nasogastric (-gæs´trik) •adj. of the nose and stomach, as a feeding tube inserted into the stomach via the nose

nasopharynx (-fær´iŋks) •n. the part of the pharynx lying directly behind the nasal passages and above the soft palate na'so·pha·ryn´ge·al (-fэ rin´ji: эl) •adj.

Nassau (for 1-2, Ger nä´sau'; for 3, næ´sö') 1 princely family of the former German duchy, which, as the House of Orange, has ruled the Netherlands since 1815 2 region in W Germany: formerly a duchy 3 capital of the Bahamas, on New Providence Island: pop. 135,000

Nasser (næs´эr), Ga·mal Ab·del (gä mäl´ äb´dэl) 1918-70; Egypt. statesman: president of Egypt (1956-58): president of the United Arab Republic (1958-70)

Nast (næst), Thomas 1840-1902; U.S. political cartoonist & illustrator, born in Germany

nastic (næs´tik) •adj. designating, of, or exhibiting movement or change in position of a plant or its parts, as in the opening and closing of flowers, in response to a stimulus but independent of the direction of the stimulus and caused by unequal growth of certain cells, changes in light intensity, etc. [< Gr nastos, pressed close < nassein, to press, squeeze close + -IC]

-nastic (næs´tik) combining form nastic by some (specified) means or in some (specified) direction {epinastic, hyponastic}

nasturtium (nэ stør´shэm, næ-) •n. 1 any of a genus (Tropaeolum, family Tropaeolaceae) of dicotyledonous garden plants (order Geraniales) with shield-shaped leaves, and showy, trumpet-shaped, usually red, yellow, or orange spurred flowers 2 the flower [L, kind of cress < *nasitortium, lit., nose-twist < nasus, NOSE + pp. of torquere, to turn, twist (see TORT): from the pungent odor of the plant]

nasty (næs´ti:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 very dirty, filthy 2 offensive in taste or smell; nauseating 3 morally offensive; indecent 4 very unpleasant; objectionable {nasty weather} 5 mean; malicious; ill-humored {a nasty temper} 6 very harmful or troublesome {a nasty bruise} •n. pl. -ties an offensive, objectionable, or very unpleasant person or thing nas´ti·ly •adv. nas´ti·ness •n. [ME < ? or akin to Du nestig, dirty]

-nasty (næs´ti:) combining form forming nouns a condition of plant growth by a (specified) means or in a (specified) direction {epinasty}

nat 1 national 2 native 3 natural

Natal (nэ tæl´; -täl´) 1 province of E South Africa, on the Indian Ocean: 33,578 sq. mi. (86,967 sq. km); pop. 5,722,000; cap. Pietermaritzburg 2 seaport in NE Brazil: capital of Rio Grande de Norte state: pop. 376,000 natal (neit´ªl) •adj. 1 of or connected with one's birth 2 dating from birth 3 native: said of a place [ME < L natalis < natus, pp. of nasci, to be born: see GENUS]

Natalie (næt´ªl i:) a feminine name: equiv. Russ. Natasha [Fr < LL Natalia < L natalis (dies), natal (day), name given to children born on Christmas Day]

natality (nei tæl´э ti:, nэ-) •n. BIRTHRATE [Fr natalité]

natant (neit´ªnt) •adj. swimming or floating; esp., floating on the surface of water [L natans, prp. of natare, to swim < IE *(s)net- < base *(s)na-, to flow > Gr nēchein, to swim, nēsos, island, L nare, to swim, OIr snām, swimming]

natation (nei tei´shэn) •n. the act or art of swimming na·ta´tion·al •adj. [L natatio < pp. of natare: see NATANT]

natatorial (neit'э tör´i: эl, næt'-) •adj. of, characterized by, or adapted for swimming Also na´ta·to'ry [< LL natatorius < L natator, swimmer (see NATANT) + -AL]

natatorium (-эm) pl. -ri·ums or -ri·a (-э) •n. a swimming pool, esp. one indoors [LL < natatorius: see NATATORIAL]

natch (næch) •adv. [Slang] naturally; of course

Natchez (næch´iz) •n. 1 pl. Natch´ez a member of a North American Indian people who lived in SW Mississippi and later in Oklahoma 2 the extinct language of this people, the sole known member of its family [Fr < a Natchez place name]

Natchez Trace early 19th-cent. road following an old Indian trail from Natchez, Miss., to Nashville, Tenn.

nates (nei´ti:z') •n.pl. the buttocks [L, pl. of natis, akin to Gr nōton, the back]

Nathan (nei´θэn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Nat, Nate 2 Bible a prophet who rebuked David for the death of Uriah: 2 Sam. 12:1-14 3 George Jean 1882-1958; U.S. drama critic & editor [Heb nāthan, lit., he has given]

Nathanael (nэ θæn´yэl, -i: эl) 1 a masculine name: dim. Nat: also sp. Nathaniel 2 Bible one of the disciples of Jesus: John 1:45: see also BARTHOLOMEW [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Nathanaēl < Heb nĕthan'ēl, lit., God has given]

natheless (neiθ´lis, næθ´-) •adv. [Archaic] nevertheless •prep. [Archaic] notwithstanding Also nath´less (næθ´-) [ME natheles < OE < na, never + the (for thy, instrumental case of def. art.) + læs, less]

nation (nei´shэn) •n. 1 a stable, historically developed community of people with a territory, economic life, distinctive culture, and language in common 2 the people of a territory united under a single government; country 3 a) a people or tribe; esp., a tribe of North American Indians, sometimes one belonging to a confederation Æ b) [ N-] the territory of a particular Indian tribe or tribes the nations 1 Bible the non-Jewish nations; Gentiles 2 [Old Poet.] all the peoples of the earth na´tion·hood' •n. [ME nacion < OFr < L natio < natus, born: see NATURE] Nation (nei´shэn), Carry (born Carry Amelia Moore) 1846-1911; U.S. agitator for temperance nation (nei´shэn) •n. 1 a stable, historically developed community of people with a territory, economic life, distinctive culture, and language in common 2 the people of a territory united under a single government; country 3 a) a people or tribe; esp., a tribe of North American Indians, sometimes one belonging to a confederation Æ b) [ N-] the territory of a particular Indian tribe or tribes the nations 1 Bible the non-Jewish nations; Gentiles 2 [Old Poet.] all the peoples of the earth na´tion·hood' •n. [ME nacion < OFr < L natio < natus, born: see NATURE]

national (næsh´э nэl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with a nation or the nation 2 affecting a (or the) nation as a whole; nationwide in scope, involvement, representation, etc. 3 patriotic or nationalist 4 established, maintained, or owned by the federal government {a national park} •n. 1 a person under the protection of a (specified) country: citizen or subject 2 the national headquarters or administration of an organization 3 [often pl.] a competition in which participants compete for a nationwide ranking, title, championship, etc. SYN. CITIZEN na´tion·al·ly •adv. [Fr]

national bank 1 a bank or system of banks owned and operated by a government, as in some foreign countries Æ 2 in the U.S., a bank chartered by the Federal government and, since 1913, required to be a member of the Federal Reserve System

National City city in SW Calif.: suburb of San Diego: pop. 54,000 [located on part of Rancho de la Nacion, lit., National Ranch]

national debt the total debt incurred by the central government of a nation, specif. by the Federal government of the U.S.

National Guard in the U.S., the organized militia forces of the individual States, a component of the Army of the U.S. when called into active Federal service

National Guard of the United States those members and units of the National Guard that have been accorded Federal recognition as a reserve component of the Army or Air Force of the U.S.

national income the total income earned by a nation's productive factors, including all profits, rents, wages, etc., during a specified period, usually a year; net national product minus indirect business taxes

National Liberation Front a revolutionary, political front or party working for national independence in any of various countries; esp., such a front active in South Vietnam from 1961 to 1976

national monument a natural geographical feature or historic site, as a mountain, canyon, old fort, etc., maintained and preserved by the Federal government for the public to visit

national park an area of scenic beauty, historical and scientific interest, etc. maintained and preserved by the Federal government for the public to visit

national seashore any of the coastal areas with beaches, waterfowl, fishing, etc., reserved by the Federal government for public use

National Weather Service the division of the Department of Commerce that gathers and compiles data on weather conditions over the U.S., on the basis of which weather forecasts are made

nationalism (næsh´э nэl iz'эm) •n. 1 a) devotion to one's nation; patriotism b) excessive, narrow, or jingoist patriotism; chauvinism 2 the doctrine that national interest, security, etc. are more important than international considerations 3 the desire for or advocacy of national independence

nationalist (-nэl ist) •n. a person who believes in or advocates nationalism •adj. of nationalism or nationalists: also na'tion·al·is´tic na'tion·al·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

nationality (næsh'э næl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 national quality or character 2 the status of belonging to a particular nation by birth or naturalization; identification as to national origin 3 the condition or fact of being a nation 4 a national group, esp. of immigrants from some other country In full nationality group

nationalize (næsh´э nэ laiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make national in character 2 to transfer ownership or control of (land, resources, industries, etc.) to the national government na'tion·al·i·za´tion •n. na´tion·al·iz'er •n.

nation-state (nei´shэn steit´) •n. the modern nation as the representative unit of political organization

nationwide (-waid') •adj. by or throughout the whole nation; national

native (neit´iv) •adj. 1 inborn or innate rather than acquired 2 belonging to a locality or country by birth, production, or growth; indigenous {a native Bostonian, native industry, native plants} 3 related to one as, or in connection with, the place of one's birth or origin {one's native land, one's native language} 4 simple; natural; free from affectation 5 as found in nature; natural and not refined, adorned, or altered by man 6 occurring in a pure state in nature {native gold} 7 of or characteristic of the natives, or indigenous inhabitants, of a place •n. 1 a person born in the place or country indicated 2 a) an original or indigenous inhabitant of a region, as distinguished from an invader, explorer, colonist, etc. b) an indigenous plant or animal 3 a permanent resident, as distinguished from a temporary resident or visitor 4 Astrol. a person born under a certain sign go native to adopt the mode of life, often one less complicated, of the native inhabitants na´tive·ly •adv. na´tive·ness •n. SYN.—native applies to a person born, or thing originating, in a certain place or country [a native Italian, native fruits]; indigenous, which also suggests natural origin in a particular region, is applied to races or species rather than to individuals [the potato is indigenous to South America]; aboriginal applies to the earliest known inhabitants (or, rarely, animals or plants) of a region [the Indians are the aboriginal Americans]; endemic, applied esp. to plants and diseases, implies prevalence in or restriction to a particular region [typhus is endemic in various countries] see also CITIZEN —ANT. alien, foreign [ME natyf < MFr natif < L nativus < natus, born: see NATURE]

Native American AMERICAN INDIAN: now often the preferred term

native son a man native to a particular place {the Ohio delegation nominated a native son}

native-born (-börn') •adj. of a specified place by birth

nativism (neit´iv iz'эm) •n. 1 the practice or policy of favoring native-born citizens as against immigrants 2 the revival or preservation of a native culture 3 Philos. the doctrine of innate ideas Æ na´tiv·ist •adj., n. Æ na'tiv·is´tic •adj.

nativity (nэ tiv´э ti:, nei-) pl. -ties •n. 1 birth, esp. with reference to place, time, or accompanying conditions 2 Astrol. the horoscope for one's birth the Nativity 1 the birth of Jesus 2 a representation of the newborn Jesus 3 Christmas Day [ME natiuite < OFr nativite < LL nativitas < L nativus, NATIVE]

natl national

NATO (nei´tou) North Atlantic Treaty Organization

natrolite (næ´trэ lait', nei´trэ-) •n. a hydrous silicate of sodium and aluminum, Na2Al2Si3O12·2H2O, a member of the zeolite group of minerals [Ger natrolith < natron (< Fr: see NATRON) + -lith, -LITE]

natron (nei´trän') •n. hydrated sodium carbonate, Na2CO3·10H2O [Fr < Sp natrón < Ar natrūn < Gr nitron: see NITER]

Natta (nä´tä'), Giu·lio (ju:l´yô) 1903-79; It. chemist

natter (næt´эr) •vi. [Chiefly Brit.] 1 to chatter idly; talk on at length 2 to find fault; scold •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a chat or talk [var. of dial. gnatter < Gmc echoic base > ON gnata, to crash noisily & Ger knattern, to clatter]

natty (næt´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. trim and smart in appearance or dress {a natty suit} nat´ti·ly •adv. nat´ti·ness •n. [< ? NEAT¹]

Natufian (nэ tu:´fi: эn) •adj. designating or of a Mesolithic culture of the Near East characterized by microliths, sickles, pestles, etc.: it offers the first evidence of reaping and grinding cereals [after Wady en-Natuf, valley in Palestine + -IAN]

natural (næch´эr эl, næch´rэl) •adj. 1 of or arising from nature; in accordance with what is found or expected in nature 2 produced or existing in nature; not artificial or manufactured 3 dealing with nature as an object of study {a natural science} 4 in a state provided by nature, without man-made changes; wild; uncultivated 5 of the real or physical world as distinguished from a spiritual, intellectual, or imaginary world 6 a) present by virtue of nature; innate; not acquired b) having certain qualities, abilities, etc. innately {a natural comedian} 7 innately felt to be right; based on instinctive moral feeling {natural rights} 8 true to nature; lifelike {a natural likeness} 9 normal or usual; in the ordinary course of events {a natural outcome} 10 customarily expected or accepted {a natural courtesy} 11 free from affectation or artificiality; at ease {a natural smile} 12 without a legal relationship; specif., a) illegitimate {a natural child} b) relating biologically rather than by adoption {natural parents} 13 with little or no processing, artificial ingredients or preservatives {natural food} 14 off-white, light-beige, etc. 15 resulting from age, disease, etc. rather than an accident, violence, etc. {a natural death, death from natural causes} 16 Biol. designating or of a system of classification based on complete structure and characteristics 17 Math. a) designating or of an integer or any number referred to 1 as the base b) designating or of an actual number as distinguished from its logarithm {a natural sine, cosine, etc.} 18 Music a) without flats or sharps, as the key of C major b) modified in pitch by the sign (##) c) neither sharped nor flatted •n. 1 a person without normal intelligence; fool; idiot 2 [Colloq.] a person who is or seems to be naturally expert Æ 3 [Colloq.] a thing that is, or promises to be, immediately successful Æ 4 [Colloq.] a winning roll of 7 or 11 on a first throw in craps 5 Music a) the sign (##) used to remove the effect of a preceding sharp or flat within the measure in which it occurs (in full, natural sign) b) the note so changed c) a white key on a piano SYN. NORMAL nat´u·ral·ness •n. [OFr < L naturalis, by birth, according to nature]

natural bridge a natural rock formation suggestive of a bridge; esp., any of three such formations in SE Utah, the main features of a national monument (Natural Bridges National Monument), 4 sq. mi. (10.36 sq. km) [N- B-] a limestone formation in WC Va., over a tributary of the James River: 215 ft. (65.6 m) high; span c. 90 ft. (27 m)

natural childbirth a method of childbirth in which the expectant mother is prepared emotionally and physically to cope with the pain of labor so that she can deliver with little or no anesthesia

natural gas a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, chiefly methane, occurring naturally in the earth, often in association with petroleum deposits, and piped to cities, etc., to be used as a fuel

natural history the study of zoology, botany, mineralogy, geology, and other subjects dealing with the physical world, esp. in a popular, nontechnical manner

natural law 1 rules of conduct supposedly inherent in the relations between human beings and discoverable by reason; law based upon man's innate moral sense 2 a law of nature: see LAW (sense 8a) 3 the laws of nature, collectively

natural logarithm a logarithm to the base e

natural number any positive integer, as 1, 2, 3, etc.

natural philosophy early name for NATURAL SCIENCE; esp., PHYSICAL SCIENCE

natural resources those actual and potential forms of wealth supplied by nature, as coal, oil, water power, arable land, etc.

natural science 1 the systematized knowledge of nature and the physical world, including zoology, botany, chemistry, physics, and geology 2 any of these branches of knowledge

natural selection in evolution, the process by which those individuals (of a species) with characters that help them to become adapted to their specific environment tend to leave more progeny and transmit their characters, while those less able to become adapted tend to leave fewer progeny or die out, so that in the course of generations there is a progressive tendency in the species to a greater degree of adaptation: see also DARWINIAN THEORY

natural theology theology that is based on observation of natural processes and not on divine revelation

naturalism (næch´эr эl iz'эm, næch´rэ liz'-) •n. 1 action or thought based on natural desires or instincts 2 Literature, Art, etc. a) faithful adherence to nature; realism; specif., the principles and methods of a group of 19th-cent. writers, including Émile Zola, Gustave Flaubert, and Guy de Maupassant, who believed that the writer or artist should apply scientific objectivity and precision in observing and depicting life, without idealizing, imposing value judgments, or avoiding what may be regarded as sordid or repulsive b) the quality resulting from the use of such realism 3 Ethics the theory that distinctions between good and bad can be reduced to nonnormative or factual terms and statements, according to psychology, biology, etc. 4 Philos. the belief that the natural world, as explained by scientific laws, is all that exists and that there is no supernatural or spiritual creation, control, or significance 5 Theol. the doctrine that religion does not depend on supernatural experience, divine revelation, etc., and that all religious truth may be derived from the natural world

naturalist (-эr эl ist, -rэ list) •n. 1 a person who studies nature, esp. by direct observation of animals and plants 2 a person who believes in or practices naturalism in any form •adj. NATURALISTIC [Fr naturaliste]

naturalistic (næch'эr эl is´tik, næch'rэ lis´-) •adj. 1 of natural history or naturalists 2 of or characterized by naturalism in any form 3 in accordance with, or in imitation of, nature nat'u·ral·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

naturalize (næch´эr эl aiz', næch´rэ laiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to confer the rights of citizenship upon (an alien) 2 to adopt and make common (a custom, word, etc.) from another country or place 3 to adapt (a plant or animal) to a new environment; acclimate 4 to explain (occurrences) by natural law, rejecting supernatural influence 5 to make natural or less artificial; free from conventionality •vi. 1 to become naturalized, or as if native 2 to study nature nat'u·ral·i·za´tion •n. [Fr naturaliser: see NATURAL & -IZE]

naturally (næch´эr эl i:, -эr li:; næch´rэ li:) •adv. 1 in a natural manner 2 by nature; innately 3 as one might expect; of course

nature (nei´chэr) •n. 1 the essential character of a thing; quality or qualities that make something what it is; essence 2 inborn character; innate disposition; inherent tendencies of a person 3 the vital functions, forces, and activities of the organs: often used as a euphemism 4 kind; sort; type {things of that nature} 5 any or all of the instincts, desires, appetites, drives, etc. of a person or animal 6 what is regarded as normal or acceptable behavior 7 the sum total of all things in time and space; the entire physical universe 8 [sometimes N-] the power, force, principle, etc. that seems to regulate this: often personified, sometimes as MOTHER NATURE 9 the primitive state of man 10 a simple way of life close to or in the outdoors 11 natural scenery, including the plants and animals that are part of it 12 [Archaic] affectionate or kindly feeling 13 Theol. the state of man viewed hypothetically as unredeemed by grace by nature naturally; inherently in a state of nature 1 completely naked 2 not cultivated or tamed; wild 3 uncivilized of (or in) the nature of having the essential character of; like [OFr < L natura < natus, born, produced: see GENUS]

nature study the study of plant and animal life by direct observation, esp. in an elementary, nontechnical manner

nature worship worship of natural forces, phenomena, etc.

-natured (nei´chэrd) combining form having or showing a (specified kind of) nature, disposition, or temperament {good-natured}

naturopath (nei´chэr э pæθ') •n. a person who practices naturopathy

naturopathy (nei'chэr äp´э θi:) •n. a system of treating diseases, largely employing natural agencies, such as air, water, sunshine, etc., and rejecting the use of drugs and medicines na'tur·o·path´ic (-э pæθ´ik) •adj. [< NATURE + -o- + -PATHY]

Naucratis (nö´krэ tis) ancient Greek city in the Nile delta

Naugahyde (nög´э haid') trademark for a kind of imitation leather, used for upholstery, luggage, etc. •n. [n-] this material [arbitrary coinage]

naught (nöt) •n. 1 nothing 2 alt. sp. of NOUGHT •adj. [Obs.] 1 worthless; useless 2 wicked; evil •adv. [Archaic] not in the least {it matters naught} set at naught to defy; scorn [ME < OE nawiht < na (see NA, NO¹) + wiht (see WIGHT¹, WHIT)]

naughty (nöt´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 [Obs.] wicked; bad; evil 2 not behaving properly; mischievous or disobedient: used esp. of children or their behavior 3 showing lack of decorum; improper, indelicate, or obscene SYN. BAD¹ naugh´ti·ly •adv. naugh´ti·ness •n. [ME naugti: see NAUGHT]

naumachia (nö mei´ki: э) pl. -chi·as or -chi·ae' (-i:') •n. 1 in ancient Rome, a mock sea battle 2 a place constructed for this Also nau·ma·chy (nö´mэ ki:), pl. -chies [L < Gr naus, ship (see NAVY) + machē, battle]

nauplius (nö´pli: эs) pl. -pli·i' (-ai') •n. the first larval stage in the development of certain crustaceans, typically unsegmented with only three pairs of appendages, all on the head, and an unpaired median eye [L, kind of shellfish < Gr nauplios, kind of shellfish said to sail in its shell as in a ship < naus, ship (see NAVY) + pleiein, to sail]

Nauru (nä u:´ru:) country on an island in the W Pacific, just south of the equator: formerly, a UN trust territory (1947-68): 8 sq. mi. (21 sq. km); pop. 7,254

nausea (nö´shэ, -zhэ; -si: э, -zi: э) •n. 1 a feeling of sickness at the stomach, with an impulse to vomit 2 disgust; loathing nau´se·ant •adj., n. [L < Gr nausia, nautia, seasickness < naus, a ship, nautēs, sailor: see NAVY]

nauseate (-shi: eit', -zhi:-; -si:-, -zi:-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to cause to feel nausea; make sick 2 [Rare] to feel nausea at; loathe •vi. to feel nausea; become sick nau´se·at'ing·ly •adv. nau'se·a´tion •n. [< L nauseatus, pp. of nauseare, to be seasick: see NAUSEA]

nauseous (nö´shэs, -zi: эs, -si:-) •adj. 1 causing nausea; specif., a) sickening b) disgusting 2 [Colloq.] feeling nausea; nauseated nau´seous·ly •adv. nau´seous·ness •n. [L nauseosus]

Nausicaä (nö sik´ei э, -i: э) in Homer's Odyssey, King Alcinoüs's daughter, who discovers, and secures safe passage for, the shipwrecked Odysseus

naut nautical

nautch (nöch) •n. in India, a performance by professional dancing girls (nautch girls) [Hindi nāc < Prakrit nacca < Sans nrtya, dancing < nrt, to dance]

nautical (nöt´i kэl) •adj. of or having to do with sailors, ships, or navigation nau´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Fr nautique < L nauticus < Gr nautikos < nautēs, sailor, seaman < naus, a ship: see NAVY]

nautical mile any of various units of distance for sea and air navigation: in the U.S. since 1959, an international unit of linear measure equal to one minute of arc of a great circle of the earth, 1,852 m (6,076.11549 ft.)

nautiloid (nöt´ªl oid') •n. any of a subclass (Nautiloidea) of cephalopods with chambered, coiled, or straight external shells: the nautilus is the only remaining representative [< ModL Nautiloidea: see NAUTILUS & -OID]

nautilus (nöt´ªl эs) pl. -lus·es or -li' (-ai') •n. 1 any of a genus (Nautilus) of tropical tetrabranchiate cephalopods having a many-chambered, spiral shell with a pearly interior 2 PAPER NAUTILUS [N-] trademark for weight-lifting equipment that uses a mechanical cam that varies the resistance of the weights in proportion to muscular strength [ModL < L < Gr nautilos, sailor, nautilus < naus, a ship: see NAVY]

nav 1 naval 2 navigable 3 navigation 4 navigator NAV net asset value

Navajo (næv´э hou') •n. 1 pl. -jos', -jo', or -joes' a member of a North American Indian people who live in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah 2 the Athabaskan language of this people Also sp. Nav´a·ho' [Sp Navajó, shortened < Apaches de Navajó, lit., Apaches of Navajo, area of NW New Mexico < Tewa navahu˙, arroyo with cultivated fields]

naval (nei´vэl) •adj. 1 orig. and still occas. of or having to do with ships or shipping 2 of, having, characteristic of, or for a navy, its ships, personnel, etc. [< Fr or L: Fr naval < L navalis < navis, a ship: see NAVY]

navarin (nå vå řæñ´) •n. a French stew made with mutton or lamb and onions, turnips, potatoes, and herbs, sometimes with other vegetables added

Navarre (nэ vär´) 1 historical region & former kingdom in NE Spain & SW France 2 region in NE Spain: 4,023 sq. mi. (10,421 sq. km); pop. 507,000; cap. Pamplona Sp. name Na·var·ra (nä väř´řä)

nave¹ (neiv) •n. that part of a church which is between the side aisles and extends from the chancel to the principal entrance, forming the main part of the building [ML navis < L, ship: see NAVY]

nave² (neiv) •n. the hub of a wheel [ME < OE nafu, akin to Ger nabe: see NAVEL]

navel (nei´vэl) •n. 1 the small scar, usually a depression in the middle of the abdomen, marking the place where the umbilical cord was attached to the fetus; umbilicus 2 any centrally located point, part, or place [ME < OE nafela, akin to Ger nabel < IE base *ombh-, *nōbh-, navel > prec., L umbilicus, Gr omphalos]

navel orange a seedless orange having at its apex a depression like a navel, containing a small, undeveloped secondary fruit

navicular (nэ vik´yu lэr) •adj. shaped like a boat: said esp. of certain bones •n. any of various boat-shaped bones; esp., a) the outer bone of the first row of carpals in the wrist b) a bone on the inner side of the human foot, in front of the anklebone [LL navicularis < L navicula, dim. of navis, a ship: see NAVY]

navig navigation

navigable (næv´i gэ bэl) •adj. 1 wide or deep enough, or free enough from obstructions, for the passage of ships {a navigable river} 2 that can be steered, or directed {a navigable balloon} nav'i·ga·bil´i·ty •n. nav´i·ga·bly •adv. [L navigabilis < navigare: see NAVIGATE]

navigate (næv´э geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vi. 1 to steer, or direct, a ship or aircraft Æ 2 [Colloq.] to make one's way; walk 3 [Rare] to travel by ship •vt. 1 to travel through or over (water, air, or land) in a ship or aircraft 2 to steer or direct (a ship or aircraft) 3 to plot the course for (a ship or aircraft) 4 [Colloq.] to walk or make one's way on or through [< L navigatus, pp. of navigare, to sail < navis, a ship (see NAVY) + agere, to lead, go (see ACT)]

navigation (næv'э gei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or practice of navigating 2 the science of locating the position and plotting the course of ships and aircraft 3 traffic by ship nav'i·ga´tion·al •adj. nav'i·ga´tion·al·ly •adv. [L navigatio]

navigator (næv´э geit'эr) •n. 1 a person who navigates; esp., one skilled or employed in plotting the course for a ship or aircraft 2 an explorer 3 [Brit.] NAVVY

navvy (næv´i:) pl. -vies •n. [Brit.] an unskilled laborer, as on canals, roads, etc. [abbrev. of prec.]

navy (nei´vi:) pl. -vies •n. 1 [Archaic] a fleet of ships 2 all the warships of a nation 3 [often N-] a) the entire military sea force of a nation, including vessels, officers, men, stores, yards, etc. b) the governmental department in charge of this 4 NAVY BLUE [ME navie < OFr < VL *navia < L navis, a ship < IE base *nāus, boat (prob. dugout) > Sans nauh, boat, Gr naus, ship, ON nōr, ship]

navy bean a small, white variety of kidney bean, dried for use as a food [from common use in the U.S. Navy]

navy blue very dark, purplish blue [from the color of the Brit. naval uniform]

Navy Cross a U.S. military decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism in action

navy yard a shipyard for building and repairing naval ships, storing naval supplies, etc.

naw (nö) •adv. [Slang] no: a negative reply

nawab (nэ wäb´, -wöb´) •n. [Slang] NABOB (sense 1) [Urdu nawwāb: see NABOB]

Naxos (næks´äs'; Gr näks´ôs') largest island of the Cyclades, in the SC Aegean: c. 170 sq. mi. (440 sq. km)

nay (nei) •adv. 1 no: now seldom used except in voting by voice 2 not that only, but also: used to reinforce a statement {I permit, nay, encourage it} •n. 1 a refusal or denial 2 a negative vote or a person voting in the negative 3 a negative answer say someone nay to refuse or forbid [ME < ON nei < ne, not + ei, ever: see AYE¹]

Nayarit (nä'yä ři:t´) state of W Mexico: 10,417 sq. mi. (26,979 sq. km); pop. 726,000; cap. Tepic

naysayer (nei´sei'эr) •n. one who opposes, refuses, or denies, esp. habitually [NAY + SAY + -ER]

Nazarene (næz'э ri:n´, næz´э ri:n') •adj. of Nazareth or the Nazarenes •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Nazareth 2 a member of an early sect of Christians of Jewish origin who continued to observe much of the Mosaic law Æ 3 a member of the Church of the Nazarene, a Protestant sect 4 [Obs.] a Christian: term formerly used by Muslims, Jews, etc. the Nazarene Jesus [ME Nazaren < LL(Ec) Nazarenus < Gr(Ec) Nazarēnos, the Nazarene]

Nazareth (næz´э rэθ, -riθ) town in Galilee, N Israel, where Jesus lived as a child: pop. 33,000 [Heb natzērath]

Nazarite or Nazirite (næz´э rait') •n. among the ancient Hebrews, a person who vowed to abstain from wine, leave the hair uncut, and avoid touching a corpse [LL(Ec) Nazaraeus < Gr(Ec) Nazaraios, for Heb nāzīr < nāzar, to separate, consecrate]

Nazi (nät´si:, næt´-) •adj. designating, of, or characteristic of the German fascist political party (National Socialist German Workers' Party), founded in 1919 and abolished in 1945: under Hitler it seized control of Germany in 1933, systematically eliminated opposition, and put into effect its program of nationalism, racism, rearmament, aggression, etc. •n. 1 a member of this party 2 [often n-] a) a supporter of this or any similar party; fascist b) someone who thinks or behaves like a Nazi Na´zism' (-siz'эm) or Na´zi·ism' (-si: iz'эm) •n. [Ger < Nati(onalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei), party name]

Nazify (-sэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. [also n-] to cause to be a Nazi or like the Nazis Na'zi·fi·ca´tion •n.

NB New Brunswick Nb Chem. symbol for niobium

NBA 1 National Basketball Association 2 National Book Awards 3 National Boxing Association

NBC National Broadcasting Company

NbE north by east

NBS National Bureau of Standards

NbW north by west

nc no charge NC 1 New Caledonia 2 North Carolina: also N.C.

NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCO noncommissioned officer

NCTE National Council of Teachers of English

Nd Chem. symbol for neodymium nd no date

ND or N.D. North Dakota Also N Dak

N'Djamena (эn jä´mэ nэ) capital of Chad, on the Shari river: pop. 303,000

Ne Chem. symbol for neon NE 1 Naval Engineer 2 Nebraska 3 New England 4 northeast 5 northeastern

ne- (ni:) combining form NEO-: used before a vowel

né or ne (nei) •adj. born: used before the original name of a man who has changed his name, assumed a pseudonym, etc. {George Orwell né Eric Blair} [Fr, pp. of naître, to be born: see NEE]

ne plus ultra (nei plûs ûl´trэ, ni:-) the ultimate; esp., the finest, best, most perfect, etc. [L, lit., no more beyond]

ne·ces·si·tate (nэ ses´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 to make (something) necessary or unavoidable; involve or imply as a necessary condition, outcome, etc. 2 [Now Rare] to compel; require; force {he was necessitated to agree} ne·ces'si·ta´tion •n. [< ML necessitatus, pp. of necessitare < L necessitas, necessity]

NEA National Education Association

Neal (ni:l) a masculine name [ME Nel, Neel, Nele, prob. < Ir Niul (Gael Niall) < niadh, a champion]

Neanderthal (ni: æn´dэr θöl', -täl') •adj. 1 designating, of, or from a valley in the Rhine Province, Germany 2 designating or of a widespread form of early human (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) of the Upper Pleistocene Epoch whose skeletal remains were first found in this valley: see MOUSTERIAN: also Neandertal 3 a) crude or primitive b) reactionary; regressive •n. 1 a Neanderthal human 2 a crude, primitive, reactionary, etc. person [Ger, lit., Neander valley (Ger thal, tal, valley, akin to DALE): after Joachim Neander (1650-80), Ger hymn writer]

neap¹ (ni:p) •adj. designating the tides occurring just after the first and third quarters of the lunar month: at these times the high tides are lower, while the low tides are higher, than the corresponding tides during spring tide because of the interaction of the gravitational forces of the moon and sun •n. neap tide [ME neep < OE nep- in nepflod, neap tide]

neap² (ni:p) •n. [Dial.] the tongue of a wagon drawn by two animals [prob. < ON, as in Norw dial. neip, forked pole]

Neapolitan (ni:'э päl´эt ªn) •adj. of Naples •n. a native or inhabitant of Naples [L Neapolitanus < Neapolites, a citizen of Naples < Neapolis, Naples < Gr, lit., new town]

Neapolitan ice cream brick ice cream containing several flavors and colors in layers, often chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla

near (nir) •adv. 1 at or to a relatively short distance in space or time {summer draws near} 2 relatively close in degree; almost: now usually nearly {near right} 3 closely; intimately 4 [Rare] in a stingy manner; thriftily •adj. 1 close in distance or time; not far 2 close in relationship; akin 3 close in feelings, desires, etc.; close in friendship; intimate 4 a) close in degree; narrow {a near escape} b) almost happening {a near accident} 5 on the left side, facing forward: said of an animal in double harness, a wagon wheel, etc.: opposed to OFF 6 short or direct {take the near way} 7 stingy; niggardly 8 somewhat resembling; approximating {a near likeness} •prep. at a relatively short distance from in space, time, degree, etc.; close to •vt., vi. to come or draw near (to); approach near at hand very close in time or space near´ness •n. [ME nere < ON & OE: ON nær, near (orig. compar. of nā-): OE near, nearer, compar. of neah, NIGH]

Near East 1 countries near the E end of the Mediterranean, including those of SW Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, & NE Africa 2 [Historical] the lands occupied by the former Ottoman Empire, including the Balkans Near Eastern

near miss 1 a shell, aerial bomb, etc. that does not score a direct hit on the target but comes close enough to inflict some damage 2 any result that is nearly but not quite successful 3 a narrowly averted collision; a near escape

nearby (nir´bai´) •adj., adv. near; close at hand

Nearctic (ni: ärk´tik, -är´-) •adj. designating or of the biogeographic realm that includes the arctic and temperate parts of North America and Greenland [NE- + ARCTIC]

nearly (nir´li:) •adv. 1 almost; not quite; all but {nearly finished} 2 [Now Rare] closely; intimately {to be nearly related} 3 [Archaic] parsimoniously; stingily not nearly not at all; far from

nearsighted (nir´sait'id) •adj. having better vision for near objects than for distant ones; myopic near´sight´ed·ly •adv. near´sight´ed·ness •n.

neat¹ (ni:t) •adj. 1 unmixed with anything; undiluted; straight: said esp. of liquor drunk without a mixer or chaser 2 [Rare] free of deductions; net 3 a) clean and in good order; trim; tidy b) characterized by tidiness, skill, and precision {a neat worker} c) without anything superfluous; simple 4 well-proportioned; shapely 5 cleverly or smartly phrased or done; adroit 6 [Slang] nice, pleasing, fine, etc.: a generalized term of approval neat´ly •adv. neat´ness •n. [Fr net < L nitidus, shining, elegant, smart, trim < nitere, to shine < IE base *nei-, to be active, shine > MIr nīam, luster, beauty]

neat² (ni:t) pl. neat •n. [Now Rare] a bovine animal; ox, cow, etc. [ME nete < OE neat (akin to ON naut, Du noot) < base of neotan, to enjoy, possess < IE base *neud-, to make use of > Lith naudà, benefit, possessions]

neaten (ni:t´ªn) •vt. to make neat; cause to be clean, tidy, orderly, or trim: often with up [NEAT¹ + -EN]

'neath or neath (ni:θ) •prep. old poet. var. of BENEATH

neatherd (ni:t´hørd') •n. rare var. of COWHERD [ME netherd: see NEAT² & HERD²]

neat's-foot oil (ni:ts´fut') a light-yellow oil obtained by boiling the feet and shinbones of cattle, used mainly as a dressing for leather Also neatsfoot oil

neb (neb) •n. [Now Dial., Chiefly Brit.] 1 a) the bill of a bird b) the snout of an animal 2 the nose or mouth of a person 3 a projecting end or point; nib; tip [ME < OE nebb, akin to MDu nebbe, ON nef] Neb Nebraska

nebbish (neb´ish) •n. a person who is pitifully inept, ineffective, shy, dull, etc. [< Yidd nebekh, pity, pitiably]

NEbE northeast by east

Nebiim (nэ vi: i:m´; E neb'i i:m´) •n.pl. Bible the books of the Prophets [Heb nebī'īm, pl. of nābī, prophet]

NEbN northeast by north

Nebo (ni:´bou'), Mount Bible mountain from which Moses saw the Promised Land; summit Pisgah (Deut. 34:1)

Nebraska (nэ bræs´kэ) Middle Western State of the NC U.S.: admitted, 1867; 77,227 sq. mi. (20,044 sq. km); pop. 1,578,000; cap. Lincoln Abbrev. NE, Neb, or Nebr Ne·bras´kan •adj., n. [< Omaha nibdhathka, name of Platte River, lit., flat river]

Nebuchadnezzar (neb'yэ kэd nez´эr, neb'э-) died 562 B.C.; king of Babylonia (c. 605-562), who conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, & deported many Jews into Babylonia (586 B.C.): 2 Kings 24; Dan. 1-4: also Neb´u·chad·rez´zar (-rez´эr) [ult. < Akkadian Nabū-kudur-usur]

nebula (neb´yэ lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') or -las •n. 1 a cloud of interstellar gas or dust: formerly, applied to any hazy, distant celestial object, as a star cluster or an external galaxy 2 Med. a) a small, cloudy opacity on the cornea b) a liquid preparation used as a spray neb´u·lar •adj. [ModL < L, vapor, fog, mist < IE base *nebh-, moist, vapor, cloud > Gr nephos, nephelē, cloud, OE nifol, mist, darkness]

nebular hypothesis any of several theories in which the solar system was once a nebula which condensed to form the sun and planets

nebulize (neb´yэ laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. 1 to reduce (a liquid) to a fine spray 2 to spray (a diseased or injured surface) with a medicated liquid neb'u·li·za´tion •n. neb´u·liz'er •n. [< L nebula, mist (see NEBULA) + -IZE]

nebulosity (neb'yэ läs´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being nebulous 2 pl. -ties NEBULA (sense 1) [Fr nébulosité < LL nebulositas]

nebulous (neb´yэ lэs) •adj. 1 of or like a nebula or nebulae 2 [Rare] cloudy; misty 3 unclear; vague; indefinite Also neb´u·lose' (-lous') neb´u·lous·ly •adv. neb´u·lous·ness •n. [ME nebulus < L nebulosus]

necessarily (nes'э ser´э li:, nes´э ser'-) •adv. 1 because of necessity; by or of necessity 2 as a necessary result; inevitably

necessary (nes´э ser'i:) •adj. 1 that cannot be dispensed with; essential; indispensable {the nutriments necessary to life} 2 resulting from necessity; inevitable {a necessary result} 3 a) that must be done; mandatory; not voluntary; required b) not free to choose; compelled by circumstances {a necessary agent} 4 inherent in the situation; undeniable; unavoidable from the premises 5 [Archaic] rendering some essential and intimate service •n. pl. -sar'ies 1 a necessary thing; thing essential to life, some purpose, etc.: often used in pl. 2 [Dial.] a privy or toilet 3 [pl.] Law those things essential to maintaining a dependent or incompetent in comfort and well-being SYN. ESSENTIAL [ME < L necessarius < necesse, unavoidable, necessary < ne-, not + cedere, to give way: see CEDE]

necessary condition 1 Logic an antecedent whose denial entails the denial of the consequent 2 something that must exist or occur if something else is to exist or occur Cf. SUFFICIENT CONDITION

necessitarianism (nэ ses'э ter´i: эn iz'эm) •n. the theory that every event, including any action of the human will, is the necessary result of a sequence of causes; determinism ne·ces'si·tar´i·an •n., adj.

necessitous (-tэs) •adj. 1 in great need; destitute; needy 2 that is necessary or essential 3 calling for action; urgent ne·ces´si·tous·ly •adv. ne·ces´si·tous·ness •n. [Fr nécessiteux: see NECESSITY & -OUS]

necessity (-ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the power of natural law that cannot be other than it is; natural causation; physical compulsion placed on man by nature; fate 2 anything that is inevitable, unavoidable, etc. as a result of natural law; that which is necessary in natural sequence 3 a) the compulsion or constraint of man-made circumstances, habit, custom, law, etc.; logical or moral conditions making certain actions inevitable or obligatory {faced by the necessity to earn a living} b) what is required by this social or legal compulsion 4 great or imperative need 5 something that cannot be done without; necessary thing: often used in pl. 6 the state or quality of being necessary 7 want; poverty SYN. NEED of necessity necessarily; inevitably [ME necessite < OFr nécessité < L necessitas < necesse: see NECESSARY]

Neches (nech´iz) river in E Tex., flowing southeast into Sabine Lake: 280 mi. (450 km): see SABINE [prob. < AmInd tribal name]

neck (nek) •n. 1 that part of a human or animal joining the head to the body, including the part of the backbone between the skull and the shoulders 2 a narrow part between the head, or end, and the body, or base, of any object {the neck of a violin, the neck of a goblet} 3 that part of a garment which covers, encircles, or is nearest the neck 4 the narrowest part of any object, considered to be like a neck; specif., a) a narrow strip of land b) the narrowest part of an organ {the neck of the uterus, the neck of a tooth} c) the narrowest or tapering part of a bottle, vase, etc. d) a strait or channel 5 Geol. a vertical column of hardened igneous rock, formerly plugging a volcanic conduit and later exposed by erosion and weathering •vt. 1 to kill (a fowl) by twisting its neck Æ 2 [Slang] to hug, kiss, and caress passionately Æ vi. [Slang] to engage in such passionate behavior break one's neck [Colloq.] to try very hard Æ get it in the neck [Slang] to be severely reprimanded or punished neck and crop completely; entirely neck and neck so close together in a race or contest that the outcome hangs in the balance neck of the woods Æ a region or locality {not from this neck of the woods} risk one's neck to put one's life, career, reputation, etc. in danger stick one's neck out to expose oneself to possible failure, ridicule, loss, etc. by taking a chance win (or lose) by a neck 1 Horse Racing to win (or lose) by the length of a horse's head and neck 2 to win (or lose) any contest by a narrow margin neck´er •n. [ME nekke < OE hnecca, akin to Ger nacken < IE base *ken-, to bend, squeeze > NOOK, NUT]

neckband (-bænd') •n. 1 a band worn around the neck 2 the part of a garment that encircles the neck; esp., the part to which the collar is fastened

neckcloth (-klöθ', -kläθ') •n. [Archaic] CRAVAT

Necker (nei keř´; E nek´эr), Jacques (zhäk) 1732-1804; Fr. statesman & financier, born in Switzerland: father of Madame de Stäel

neckerchief (nek´эr chif, -chi:f') •n. a handkerchief or scarf worn around the neck [ME nekkyrchefe: see NECK & KERCHIEF]

necking (nek´iŋ) •n. 1 Archit. any small molding around the top of a column below the capital Æ 2 [Slang] the act of kissing and caressing passionately [see NECK, vt. 2 & vi.]

necklace (nek´lis) •n. a string of beads, jewels, etc. or a chain of gold, silver, etc., worn around the neck as an ornament [NECK + LACE]

neckline (-lain') •n. the line formed by the edge of a garment around or nearest the neck

neckpiece (-pi:s') •n. a decorative scarf, esp. of fur

neck-rein (-rein') •vi. to go to the right if the left rein is lightly pressed against the neck or to the left if the right rein is so pressed: said of a saddle horse •vt. to guide (a horse) by such pressure of the reins

necktie (-tai') •n. 1 a band worn around the neck under a collar and tied in front as a four-in-hand or in a bow 2 a decorative piece clipped onto the collar to resemble this

necktie party [Slang] a hanging; esp., a lynching

neckwear (-wer') •n. articles worn about the neck, as neckties, scarves, etc.

necro- (nek´rou, -rэ) combining form 1 death {necrology} 2 corpse, dead tissue {necrophagia} Also, before a vowel, necr- [< Gr nekros, dead body < IE base *ne-, physical death, corpse > L nex, death, nocere, to injure, necare, to kill]

necrobiosis (nek'rou bai ou´sis) •n. the process of decay and death of body cells [ModL < prec. + -BIOSIS]

necrolatry (ne kräl´э tri:, nэ-) •n. worship of, or excessive reverence for, the dead [NECRO- + -LATRY]

necrology (-э ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 a list of people who have died within a certain period, as that in a newspaper 2 a death notice; obituary nec·ro·log·i·cal (nek'rэ läj´i kэl) •adj. nec'ro·log´i·cal·ly •adv. ne·crol´o·gist •n. [ModL necrologium: see NECRO- & -LOGY]

necromancy (nek´rэ mæn'si:) •n. 1 the practice of claiming to foretell the future by alleged communication with the dead 2 black magic; sorcery nec´ro·man'cer •n. nec'ro·man´tic •adj. [ME nigromancie < OFr nigromance < ML nigromantia (altered by assoc. with L niger, black) < L necromantia < Gr nekromanteia < nekros, corpse (see NECRO-) + manteia, divination: see -MANCY]

necrophagia (nek'rэ fei´ji: э) •n. the eating of dead bodies; esp., the practice of feeding on carrion ne·croph·a·gous (ne kräf´э gэs) •adj. [ModL: see NECRO- & -PHAGY]

necrophilia (-fil´i: э) •n. an abnormal fascination with death and the dead; esp., an erotic attraction to corpses Also ne·croph·i·lism (ne kräf´э liz'эm) nec´ro·phile' (-fail') •n. nec'ro·phil´i·ac' (-i: æk') or ne·croph´i·lous •adj. [NECRO- + -PHILIA]

necrophobia (nek'rэ fou´bi: э) •n. an abnormal fear of death or of dead bodies [NECRO- + -PHOBIA]

necropolis (ne kräp´э lis, nэ-) pl. -lis·es or -leis' (-lais') •n. a cemetery, esp. one belonging to an ancient city [Gr nekropolis < nekros (see NECRO-) + polis, city: see POLICE]

necropsy (ne´kräp si:) pl. -sies an examination of a dead body; post-mortem Also ne·cros·co·py (ne kräs´kэ pi:) •n. [see NECRO- & -OPSIS]

necrosis (ne krou´sis, nэ-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 the death or decay of tissue in a particular part of the body, as from loss of blood supply, burning, etc. 2 Bot. death of plant tissue, as from disease, frost, etc. ne·crose (ne krous´, ne´krous'), -crosed´, -cros´ing, •vt., vi. ne·crot´ic (-krät´ik) •adj. [ModL < LL, a killing < Gr nekrōsis < nekroun, to make dead, mortify < nekros, dead body: see NECRO-]

necrotomy (ne krät´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. 1 the dissection of corpses 2 the surgical removal of dead bone [NECRO- + -TOMY]

nectar (nek´tэr) •n. 1 Gr. & Rom. Myth. the drink of the gods 2 any very delicious beverage 3 Bot. the sweetish liquid in many flowers, used by bees for the making of honey nec·tar´e·an (-ter´i: эn), nec·tar´e·ous (-i: эs), or nec´tar·ous •adj. [L < Gr nektar < ? base of necros, dead body (see NECRO-) + tar, who overcomes (akin to Sans tarati, he overcomes): hence, death-overcoming: the drink was held to confer immortality]

nectarine (nek'tэ ri:n´, nek´tэ ri:n') •n. a naturally mutated variety (Prunus persica var. nectarina) of peach, having a smooth skin without down [orig. adj., of nectar]

nectary (nek´tэr i:) pl. -ries •n. an organ or part, esp. of a flower, that secretes nectar nec·tar´i·al (-ter´i: эl) •adj. [ModL nectarium]

NED New English Dictionary: orig. name of Oxford English Dictionary Ned (ned) a masculine name: see EDGAR, EDMUND, EDWARD [by faulty division of mine Ed]

Nederland (nei´dэř länt') Du. name of the NETHERLANDS

nee or née (nei; now often ni:) •adj. born: used to indicate the maiden name of a married woman {Mrs. Helen Jones, née Smith} [Fr, fem. of né, pp. of naître < L nasci, to be born: see GENUS]

need (ni:d) •n. 1 necessity or obligation created by some situation {no need to worry} 2 a lack of something useful, required, or desired {to have need of a rest} 3 something useful, required, or desired that is lacking; want; requirement {list your daily needs} 4 a) a condition in which there is a deficiency of something, or one requiring relief or supply {a friend in need} b) a condition of poverty, or extreme want •vt. to have need of; want or lack; require: need is often used as an auxiliary, either uninflected and followed by an infinitive without to, or inflected and followed by an infinitive with to, meaning to be obliged, must {he need not come, he needs to be careful} •vi. 1 [Archaic] to be necessary; chiefly in impersonal constructions {it needs not} 2 to be in need See also NEEDS have need to to be compelled or required to; must if need be if it is required; if the occasion demands need´er •n. SYN.—need refers to an urgent requirement of something essential or desirable that is lacking; necessity, a more formal word, suggests an imperative need for something indispensable but lacks the emotional connotations of need [they are in need of food, food is a necessity for all living things]; exigency refers to a necessity created by some emergency, crisis, or compelling circumstances [the exigencies created by the flood]; requisite applies to something that is indispensable to a particular end or goal [a sense of rhythm is a requisite in a dancer] see also LACK [ME nede < OE nied, akin to Ger not, Goth nauths < IE *neuti- < base *neu-, to collapse with weariness > Welsh newyn, starvation]

needful (ni:d´fэl) •adj. 1 necessary; needed; required 2 [Archaic] needy need´ful·ly •adv. need´ful·ness •n.

neediness (ni:d´i: nis) •n. the fact or state of being needy; poverty; indigence; want

needle (ni:d´ªl) •n. 1 a) a small, slender piece of steel with a sharp point at one end and a hole for thread at the other, used for sewing by hand or for surgical sutures b) a similar implement with a hole for thread near the pointed end, used esp. on sewing machines 2 a) a slender rod of steel, bone, wood, etc. with a hook at one end, used for crocheting b) a similar rod, usually larger and without a hook, used in knitting 3 STYLUS (n. 3b) 4 a pointed instrument used in etching or engraving 5 a) the magnetized pointer of a compass b) the indicator or pointer of a speedometer or other gauge 6 the thin, short, pointed leaf of such trees as the pine, spruce, etc. 7 NEEDLE VALVE 8 a) the sharp, very slender metal tube at the end of a hypodermic syringe, that is introduced into the blood vessel, muscle, etc. Æ b) [Colloq.] a hypodermic injection 9 ELECTRIC NEEDLE 10 any object roughly resembling a needle or its point in shape, as the sharp point of some crystals, a narrow, pointed rock, an obelisk, spire, etc. •vt. -dled, -dling 1 to sew, puncture, etc. with a needle 2 [Colloq.] a) to provoke into doing something; goad; prod b) to tease or heckle Æ 3 [Slang] to strengthen by adding alcohol {to needle beer} •vi. 1 to work with a needle; sew 2 to form needles in crystallization Æ give someone the needle [Slang] to goad or heckle Æ on the needle [Slang] addicted to narcotics nee´dle·like' •adj. nee´dler •n. [ME nedle < OE nædl, akin to Ger nadel < IE base *(s)nē-, *(s)nēi-, to sew, spin > SNOOD, L nere, Gr nein, to spin]

needle valve a thin, tapered valve that is usually precisely set to control the flow of fluid through a cone-shaped opening: used esp. in carburetors

needlefish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of a family (Belonidae, order Atheriniformes) of long, pipelike, voracious, marine bony fishes with elongated jaws and many sharp teeth

needlepoint (-point') •n. 1 an embroidery of woolen threads upon canvas, used for upholstery, tapestries, etc. 2 a lace made on a paper pattern, with a needle instead of a bobbin: in full, needlepoint lace

needless (ni:d´lis) •adj. not needed; unnecessary need´less·ly •adv. need´less·ness •n.

needlewoman (ni:d´ªl wum'эn) pl. -wom'en •n. a woman who does needlework; esp., a seamstress

needlework (-wørk') •n. 1 work done with a needle; sewing or, esp. fancywork 2 the art or practice of such work nee´dle·work'er •n.

needn't (ni:d´ªnt) need not

needs (ni:dz) •adv. of necessity; necessarily: with must {he must needs obey} [ME nedes < OE nedes, nydes < nied (see NEED) + -s, gen. & adv. suffix]

needy (ni:d´i:) need´i·er, need´i·est •adj. in, or characterized by, need; not having enough to live on; very poor

Néel (nei el´), Louis (Eu·gè·ne Fé·lix) 1904- ; Fr. physicist

neep (ni:p) •n. [Brit. Dial.] a turnip [ME nepe < OE næp < L napus, prob. < Gr napy, mustard]

ne'er (ner) •adv. [Old Poet.] never

ne'er-do-well (ner´du: wel') •n. a person who never does anything worthwhile; one who cannot make a living, get things done, etc. •adj. lazy, inadequate, etc.

nefarious (nэ fer´i: эs) •adj. very wicked; villainous; iniquitous ne·far´i·ous·ly •adv. ne·far´i·ous·ness •n. [L nefarius < nefas, crime, sin < ne-, not + fas, (divine) law, lawful]

Nefertiti (nef'эr ti:´ti:) 14th cent. B.C.; queen of Egypt & wife of Ikhnaton: also Nef´re·te´te (-rэ-)

Nefud (nэ fu:d´) alt. sp. of NAFUD

neg 1 negative 2 negatively

negate (ni geit´) -gat´ed, -gat´ing •vt. 1 to deny the existence or truth of 2 to make ineffective ne·ga´tor or ne·gat´er •n. [< L negatus: see NEGATION]

negation (ni gei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or an instance of denying; negative answer; denial 2 the lack or opposite of some positive character or quality {death is the negation of life} 3 something negative; nonentity ne·ga´tion·al •adj. [< Fr or L: Fr négation < L negatio < negatus, pp. of negare, to deny < neg(i)- < ne- (see NO¹) + *-g(h)- < IE *G(h)i, intens. particle used after negation]

negative (neg´э tiv) •adj. 1 containing, expressing, or implying a denial or refusal; that says no {a negative reply} 2 opposite to something regarded as positive; specif., a) lacking in positive character or quality; lacking evidence, affirmation, etc.; having the effect of diminishing, depriving, or denying {a negative personality} b) Biol. directed away from the source of a stimulus {negative tropism} c) Logic denying something about a subject {no reptiles are warmblooded is a negative proposition} d) Math. designating a quantity less than zero, or one to be subtracted; minus quantity e) Med. not demonstrating or proving the presence or existence of symptoms, bacteria, fracture, etc. f) Photog. reversing the relation of light and shade of the subject Æ 3 Elec. a) of, generating, or charged with negative electricity b) having an excess of electrons •adv. no; not so: so used in radio communication •n. 1 a word, affix, phrase, etc. that denies, rejects, or refuses (Ex.: no, not, by no means) 2 a statement of denial, refusal, or rejection 3 the point of view that denies or attacks the positive or affirmative {the negative won the debate} 4 [Obs.] the right of veto 5 an impression of something, as a sculpture, that shows it in reverse 6 the plate in a voltaic battery where the lower potential is 7 Math. a quantity less than zero, or one to be subtracted; minus quantity 8 Photog. an exposed and developed photographic film or plate on which light and shadow are the reverse of what they are in the positive printed from this •vt. -tived, -tiv·ing 1 a) to refuse; reject Æ b) to veto (a candidate, motion, or bill) 2 to deny; contradict 3 to prove false; disprove 4 to counteract; neutralize •interj. no! not so! in the negative 1 in refusal or denial of a plan, suggestion, etc. 2 with a denial or negative answer neg´a·tive·ly •adv. neg´a·tive·ness or neg'a·tiv´i·ty •n. [ME negatife < OFr or L: OFr négatif < L negativus < negatus: see NEGATION]

negative electricity the kind of electricity that predominates as in a body of resin after it has been rubbed with wool and has accumulated an excess of electrons

negative income tax a proposed system of subsidy payments by the government to those whose annual income is below a certain level

negative sign Math. the sign (-), used to indicate a negative quantity

negativism (neg´э tiv iz'эm) •n. 1 an attitude or system of thought characterized by doubt and question, rather than approval and acceptance 2 Psychol. an attitude characterized by ignoring, resisting, or opposing suggestions or orders coming from other people neg´a·tiv·ist •n., adj. neg'a·tiv·is´tic •adj.

negatron (neg´э trän') •n. rare var. of ELECTRON [NEGA(TIVE) + (ELEC)TRON]

Negev (neg´ev') region in S Israel of partially reclaimed desert: c. 4,000 sq. mi. (10,360 sq. km): also Nég´eb' (-eb')

neglect (ni glekt´) •vt. 1 to ignore or disregard {to neglect the advice of others} 2 to fail to care for or attend to sufficiently or properly; slight {to neglect one's family} 3 to fail to carry out (an expected or required action) through carelessness or by intention; leave undone •n. 1 the action of neglecting 2 lack of sufficient or proper care; negligence; disregard 3 the state of being neglected ne·glect´er or ne·glec´tor •n. SYN.—neglect implies a failure to carry out some expected or required action, either through carelessness or by intention [I neglected to wind the clock]; omit, in this connection, implies a neglecting through oversight, absorption, etc. [she should not omit to visit the museum]; overlook suggests a failure to see or to take action, either inadvertently or indulgently [I'll overlook your error this time]; disregard implies inattention or neglect, usually intentional [she always disregards his wishes]; ignore suggests a deliberate disregarding, sometimes through stubborn refusal to face the facts [but you ignore the necessity for action]; slight implies a disregarding or neglecting in an indifferent or disdainful way [he seems to slight the newer writers]; forget, in this connection, implies an intentional disregarding or omitting [after his election he forgot the wishes of the voters] [< L neglectus, pp. of negligere, neglegere, not to heed, be regardless of < neg- (see NEGATION) + legere, to gather (see LOGIC)]

neglectful (ni glekt´fэl) •adj. characterized by neglect; heedless; negligent: often with of SYN. REMISS ne·glect´ful·ly •adv. ne·glect´ful·ness •n.

negligee (neg'lэ zhei´, neg´lэ zhei') •n. 1 a woman's loosely fitting dressing gown, usually decorative and of a soft, flowing material 2 any informal, careless, or incomplete attire •adj. carelessly or incompletely dressed [Fr négligée, fem. of négligé, pp. of négliger, to neglect < L negligere: see NEGLECT]

negligence (neg´lэ jэns) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being negligent; specif., a) habitual failure to do the required thing b) carelessness in manner or appearance; indifference 2 an instance of such failure, carelessness, or indifference 3 Law failure to use a reasonable amount of care when such failure results in injury or damage to another [ME neglygence < OFr négligence < L negligentia]

negligent (neg´lэ jэnt) •adj. 1 habitually failing to do the required thing; neglectful 2 careless, lax, inattentive, or indifferent SYN. REMISS neg´li·gent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr négligent < L negligens, prp. of negligere: see NEGLECT]

negligible (neg´lэ jэ bэl) •adj. that can be neglected or disregarded because small, unimportant, etc.; trifling neg'li·gi·bil´i·ty •n. neg´li·gi·bly •adv. [< L negligere (see NEGLECT) + -IBLE]

negotiable (ni gou´shi: э bэl; often, -shэ bэl) •adj. that can be negotiated; specif., a) legally transferable to another by endorsement or by proper delivery (said of promissory notes, checks, etc.) b) that can be passed, crossed, surmounted, etc. ne·go'ti·a·bil´i·ty •n.

negotiate (ni gou´shi: eit'; often, -si:-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to confer, bargain, or discuss with a view to reaching agreement •vt. 1 to make arrangements for, settle, or conclude (a business transaction, treaty, etc.) 2 to transfer, assign, or sell (negotiable paper) 3 to succeed in crossing, surmounting, moving through, etc. {to negotiate a deep river} ne·go´ti·a'tor •n. [< L negotiatus, pp. of negotiari, to carry on business < negotium, business < neg-, not (see NEGATION) + otium, ease]

negotiation (ni gou'shi: ei´shэn; often, -si:-) •n. 1 a negotiating 2 [often pl.] a conferring, discussing, or bargaining to reach agreement ne·go´ti·a·to'ry •adj. [L negotiatio]

Negress (ni:´gris) •n. [Now Rare] a black (Negro) woman or girl See -ESS [Fr négresse, fem. of nègre < Sp or Port negro, NEGRO]

Negri Sembilan (ne'gri: sem bi:´lэn) state of Malaysia in W Peninsular Malaysia: 2,565 sq. mi. (6,643 sq. km); pop. 480,000; cap. Seremban

Negrillo (nэ gril´ou) pl. -los •n.or -loes an African pygmy [Sp, dim. of negro, NEGRO]

Negrito (nэ gri:t´ou) pl. -tos •n.or -toes a member of any of various dark-skinned peoples of Oceania, SE Asia, and Africa Ne·grit´ic (-grit´ik) •adj. [Sp, dim. of negro, black, NEGRO: in allusion to their small stature & dark skin]

negritude (neg´rэ tu:d', -tyu:d'; ni:´grэ-) •n. [also N-] the consciousness in black people, esp. Africans, of their cultural heritage, together with an affirmation of the distinctive qualities and values of this heritage [Fr négritude < négre (< Sp or Port negro, black person: see NEGRO) + -i- + -tude (see -TUDE): prob. coined (1939) by Aimé Césaire, Martinique poet]

Negro (ni:´grou) pl. -groes •n. a member of any of the indigenous, dark-skinned peoples of Africa, living chiefly south of the Sahara, or a person having some African ancestors; a black •adj. designating or of Negroes [Sp & Port negro, black, black person < L niger, black] Negro (nei´grou; Port nei´gřu:; Sp nei´gřô) 1 river in N Brazil, flowing southeast into the Amazon, near Manaus: c. 1,400 mi. (2,253 km) 2 river in SC Argentina, flowing east into the Atlantic: c. 700 mi. (1,126 km)

Negroid (ni:´groid') •adj. designating or of one of the major traditional geographic groupings of human beings, including the majority of the peoples of Africa, and peoples of Melanesia, New Guinea, etc. who are generally characterized by a dark skin, black, very curly hair, etc.: loosely called the black race See RACE² •n. a member of the Negroid population [NEGRO + -OID]

Negroni (nэ grou´ni:) •n. [often n-] a cocktail of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth

Negrophile (ni:´grou fail') •n. [sometimes n-] a person who admires, likes, or champions blacks, their culture, etc. Ne·groph·i·lism (ni: gräf´э liz'эm) •n. [NEGRO + -PHILE]

Negrophobe (ni:´grou foub') •n. [sometimes n-] a person who hates or fears blacks Ne'gro·pho´bi·a (-fou´bi: э) •n. [NEGRO + -PHOBE]

Negros (nei´grous'; Sp nei´gřôs') island of the central Philippines, between Cebu & Panay: 4,905 sq. mi. (12,704 sq. km)

negus (ni:´gэs) •n. a hot beverage made from wine, hot water, and lemon juice, sweetened and spiced [after Col. Francis Negus (died 1732), who concocted it] Negus (ni:´gэs) •n. [Historical] the title of the ruler of Ethiopia [Amharic nĕgūš, king]

Nehemiah (ni:'hi mai´э, ni:'э-) Bible 1 a Hebrew leader of c. 5th cent. B.C. 2 the book that tells of his work Abbrev. Neh [Heb nehemyāh, lit., comfort of Jah (God)]

Nehru (nei´ru:), Ja·wa·har·lal (jэ wä´hэr läl') 1889-1964; Indian nationalist leader in India's movement for independence: prime minister (1947-64)

neigh (nei) •vi. to utter the loud, characteristic cry of a horse; whinny •n. this cry; a whinny [ME neyen < OE hnægan, akin to MDu neyen, of echoic orig.]

neighbor (nei´bэr) •n. 1 a person who lives near another 2 a person, country, or thing situated near another 3 a fellow human being {love thy neighbor} 4 any person: used as a term of direct address •adj. nearby; adjacent •vt. 1 to live or be situated near (someone or something) 2 [Rare] to bring near or into close association with •vi. 1 to live or be situated nearby 2 to have friendly relations; associate on friendly terms (with) Brit. sp. neighbour [ME neighbour < OE neahgebur (akin to Ger nachbar) < neah (see NIGH) + gebur, freeholder, peasant < ge-, with + bur, farmer < buan, to live, cultivate, akin to ON bua: see BONDAGE]

neighborhood (nei´bэr hud') •n. 1 orig., friendly relations, as of neighbors; neighborliness 2 the state or quality of being neighbors 3 a community, district, or area, esp. with regard to some characteristic or point of reference {an old neighborhood} 4 the people living near one another; community {the whole neighborhood pitched in and helped during the flood} 5 Math. the set of all points which lie within a stated distance of a given point Æ in the neighborhood of [Colloq.] 1 near; close to (a place) 2 about; approximately (the age, amount, etc. specified)

neighboring (nei´bэr iŋ) •adj. nearby; adjacent; close together; in the same region SYN. ADJACENT

neighborly (nei´bэr li:) •adj. like, characteristic of, or appropriate to neighbors; kind, friendly, sociable, etc. neigh´bor·li·ness •n.

Neil (ni:l) a masculine name: see NEAL

Neilson (ni:l´sэn), William Allan 1869-1946; U.S. educator & editor, born in Scotland

Neisse (nai´sэ) river in N Europe, flowing from N Czech Republic into the Oder River on the Polish-German border: c. 140 mi. (225 km): see ODER

neither (ni:´ðэr, nai´-) •adj., pron. not one or the other (of two); not either {neither boy went, neither of them was invited} conj. 1 not either: the first element of the pair of correlatives neither . . . nor, implying negation of both parts of the statement {I could neither laugh nor cry} 2 nor yet; and . . . not {he doesn't smoke, neither does he drink} •adv. [Colloq. or Dial.] any more than the other; also: following negative expressions {if she won't go, I won't neither} [ME naither, altered (by assoc. with eyther, EITHER) < nauther < OE na-hwæther, lit., not whether (see NA, NO¹, WHETHER), not either of two]

Nejd (nezhd) region in central & E Saudi Arabia, formerly a sultanate, now administered as a viceroyalty & constituting the Central Province; chief city, Riyadh

nekton (nek´tän', nek´tэn) •n. all the larger, aquatic, free-swimming animals in lakes, seas, ponds, etc. whose movements are largely independent of currents and waves, including squids, fishes, and whales [Ger < Gr nēkton, neut. of nēktos, swimming < nēchein, to swim: see NATANT]

Nell (nel) a feminine name: see HELEN, ELEANOR

Nellie or Nelly (nel´i:) a feminine name: see HELEN, ELEANOR

Nelson (nel´sэn) river in Manitoba, Canada, flowing from Lake Winnipeg northeast into Hudson Bay: 400 mi. (644 km) [so named by Sir T. Button on an expedition into Hudson Bay (1612), after R. Nelson, a crew member who died there] Nelson (nel´sэn) 1 a masculine name 2 Horatio Viscount Nelson 1758-1805; Eng. admiral [< the surname Nelson < ME Nel (see NEAL) + son, SON]

nelumbo (ni: lûm´bou, nэ-) pl. -bos any of a genus (Nelumbo, family Nelumbonaceae) of waterlilies with large, dish-shaped leaves and flowers of white to dark red Also ne·lum´bi·um (-bi: эm) •n. [ModL < Sinhalese nelumbu]

nem. con. (with) no one contradicting; unanimously [L nemine contradicente]

nem. diss. (with) no one dissenting; unanimously [L nemine dissentiente]

nema (ni:´mэ) •n. short for NEMATODE

Neman (nye´mэn; E nem´эn) river flowing west through Belarus and Lithuania into the Baltic: 597 mi. (961 km)

nemathelminth (nem'э θel´minθ') •n. in some former classifications, any of a large phylum (Nemathelminthes) of round, unsegmented worms, many of which are parasitic, as the hookworm, gordian worm, etc. [NEMAT(O)- + HELMINTH]

nematic (ni: mæt´ik, nэ-) •adj. designating a kind of liquid crystal in which the molecules spontaneously align themselves with their axes parallel [fol. + -IC]

nemato- (nem´э tou', -tэ) combining form thread, threadlike {nematocyst} Also, before a vowel, nemat- [< Gr nēma (gen. nēmatos), what is spun, thread, akin to nein: see NEEDLE]

nematocyst (nem´э tou sist') •n. any of the intracellular stinging structures characteristic of all cnidarians, as the jellyfish: it contains a threadlike sting nem'a·to·cys´tic •adj. [prec. + -CYST]

nematode (nem´э toud') •n. any of a phylum (Nemata) of worms, often parasites of animals and plants, with long, cylindrical, unsegmented bodies and a heavy cuticle, as the hookworm or pinworm; roundworm [< ModL Nematoda: see NEMATO- & -ODE²]

nematology (nem'э täl´э ji:) •n. the branch of zoology that deals with nematodes [< prec. + -LOGY]

Nembutal (nem´byэ töl', -tæl') trademark for PENTOBARBITAL SODIUM [N(A) + E(THYL) + M(ETHYL) + BU(TYL) + (BARBI)TAL]

Nemea (ni:´mi: э) valley in Argolis, Greece, in the NE Peloponnesus Ne·me·an (ni mi:´эn, ni:´mi:-) •adj.

Nemean games a Greek festival held in ancient times every other year at Nemea, consisting chiefly of athletic and musical contests

Nemean lion Gr. Myth. a fierce lion killed by Hercules as the first of his twelve labors

nemertean (ni: mør´ti: эn, nэ-) •n. any of a phylum (Nemertea) of usually very elongate, unsegmented marine worms with no body cavity and with a protrusile proboscis, living mostly in coastal mud or sand; ribbon worm •adj. of or belonging to these worms Also nem·er·tine (nem´эr tin, -tain') or nem'er·tin´e·an (-tin´i: эn) [< ModL Nemertea < Gr Nēmertēs, name of a sea nymph < nēmertēs, unerring]

Nemesis (nem´э sis) Gr. Myth. the goddess of retributive justice, or vengeance •n. pl. -ses' (-si:z') [usually n-] 1 a) just punishment; retribution b) one who imposes retribution 2 anyone or anything which seems to be the inevitable cause of someone's downfall or defeat [L < Gr nemein, to distribute, deal out: see -NOMY]

nemophila (ni: mäf´э lэ, nэ-) •n. any of a genus (Nemophila) of annual W American plants of the waterleaf family, cultivated for garden ornament [ModL < Gr nemos, a wooded pasture, orig. wooded valley (< IE base *nem-, to bend, form a hollow > NAMASTE) + ModL -phila, suffix indicating attraction toward < L, neut. pl. of -philus, -PHILOUS]

nene (nei´nei') •n. a grayish-brown Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis) once nearly extinct [Haw nēnē]

neo- (ni:´ou, -э) combining form 1 [often N-] a) new, recent, latest {Neolithic, Neozoic} b) in a new, different, or modified way {neologism} c) the New World {Neotropical} 2 Chem. a) designating a compound related in some way to an older one {neoprene} b) indicating a hydrocarbon having at least one carbon atom joined to four other carbon atoms {neopentane} [ModL < Gr neos, young, NEW]

neoanthropic (ni:'ou æn θräp´ik) •adj. of, pertaining to, or resembling modern forms of humans Also ne'an·throp´ic [prec. + ANTHROP- + -IC]

neoarsphenamine (ni:'ou ärs fen´э mi:n', -min') •n. a sodium compound of arsphenamine, formerly used in the treatment of syphilis instead of arsphenamine because it is less toxic and more soluble

Neocene (ni:´ou si:n', ni:´э-) •adj. [Archaic] designating or of the later of two epochs of the Tertiary, including the Miocene and the Pliocene, when mammals evolved to relatively modern types [NEO- + -CENE]

neoclassic (ni:'ou klæs´ik) •adj. designating or of a revival of classic style and form in art, literature, etc., as in England from c. 1660 to c. 1740 Also ne'o·clas´si·cal ne'o·clas´si·cism •n. ne'o·clas´si·cist •n.

neocolonialism (-kэ lou´ni: эl iz'эm) •n. the survival or revival of colonialist exploitation by a foreign power of a region that has ostensibly achieved independence ne'o·co·lo´ni·al •adj. ne'o·co·lo´ni·al·ist •n., adj.

neoconservative (-kэn sør´vэ tiv) •adj. designating or of an intellectual, political movement that evolved in the late 1970's in reaction to liberal and leftist thought, advocating INDIVIDUALISM (senses 3 & 4), traditional moral standards, anti-Communist foreign policy, etc. •n. a neoconservative person ne'o·con·ser´va·tism •n.

neocortex (ni:'ou kör´teks') •n. the part of the thin, gray outer layer of the brain's cortex usually associated with human thought and higher intelligence ne'o·cor´ti·cal •adj.

Neo-Darwinism (-där´win iz'эm) •n. a biological theory which maintains that natural selection is the main factor in the evolution of animals and plants and adjusts this concept to modern genetics

neodymium (ni:'ou dim´i: эm, ni:'э-) •n. a silvery chemical element of the rare-earth metals used in the coloring of glass and in lasers: symbol, Nd; at. wt., 144.24; at. no., 60; sp. gr., 7.007; melt. pt., 1,021°C; boil. pt. 3,074°C [ModL < neodymia, a rare earth (< Gr neos, NEW + ModL (di)dymium: see DIDYMIUM) + -IUM: so named (1885) by C. A. von Welsbach (see WELSBACH BURNER), from being split from didymium]

Neogaea (ni:'ou ji:´э, ni:'э-) •n. one of the three primary zoogeographic areas of the earth, coextensive with the Neotropical realm Ne'o·gae´an •adj. [ModL < NEO- + Gr gaia, earth]

neogenesis (ni:'ou jen´э sis) •n. regeneration, esp. of tissue ne'o·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. [NEO- + -GENESIS]

Neo-Hebraic (ni:´ou hi: brei´ik, -hi-) •n., adj. MODERN HEBREW

neoimpressionism (-im presh´эn iz'эm) •n. a late 19th-cent. theory and practice of painting, based on a strict scientific application of impressionist techniques, esp. pointillism ne'o·im·pres´sion·ist •adj., n.

Neo-Lamarckism (-lэ märk´iz'эm) •n. a theory of inheritance based on a modification and extension of Lamarckism, essentially maintaining the principle that genetic changes can be influenced and directed by environmental factors

Neo-Latin (-læt´ªn) •n. MODERN LATIN

neolith (ni:´ou liθ', ni:´э-) •n. a Neolithic stone tool

Neolithic (ni:'ou liθ´ik, ni:'э-) •adj. designating or of an Old World cultural period (c. 8000-c. 3500 B.C.) characterized by polished stone tools, pottery, weaving, stock rearing, agriculture, and sometimes megaliths the Neolithic the Neolithic period; New Stone Age [NEO- + -LITHIC]

neologism (ni: äl´э jiz'эm) •n. 1 a new word or a new meaning for an established word 2 the use of, or the practice of creating, new words or new meanings for established words ne·ol´o·gist •n. ne·ol'o·gis´tic or ne·ol'o·gis´ti·cal •adj. [Fr néologisme: see NEO-, -LOGY, & -ISM]

neologize (-jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vi. to invent, or make a practice of using, neologisms [Fr néologiser: see NEOLOGY & -IZE]

neology (-ji:) pl. -gies •n. NEOLOGISM ne·o·log·i·cal (ni:'ou läj´i kэl, ni:'э-) •adj. ne'o·log´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr néologie: see NEO- & -LOGY]

neomycin (ni:'ou mai´sin, ni:'э-) •n. a broad-spectrum antibiotic obtained from an actinomycete (Streptomyces fradiae) and used in the treatment of various infections, esp. of the skin and eye [NEO- + -MYCIN]

neon (ni:´än') •n. a rare, colorless, and inert gaseous chemical element, found in small quantities in the earth's atmosphere and used in discharge tubes, gas lasers, etc.: symbol, Ne; at. wt., 20.179; at. no., 10; density, 0.9000 g/l (0°C); melt. pt., -248.67°C; boil. pt., -246.05°C [ModL: so named (1898) by Sir William RAMSAY, its co-discoverer (with M. W. Travers: see KRYPTON) < Gr neon, neut. of neos, NEW]

neon lamp a discharge tube containing neon, which ionizes and glows with a red light when an electric current is sent through it: used esp. in advertising signs

neon tetra a popular tetra (Hyphessobrycon innesi) with blue or green back, white belly, and a posterior, red, lateral stripe

neonate (ni:´ou neit', ni:´э-) •n. a newly-born individual, esp. an infant during its first month of life ne'o·na´tal •adj. ne'o·na´tal·ly •adv. [ModL neonatus < neo-, NEO- + L natus, born: see NATURE]

neonatology (ni:'ou nei täl´э ji:) •n. the branch of medicine dealing with newborn children up to two months old ne'o·na·tol´o·gist •n.

neo-orthodoxy (ni:'ou ör´θэ däk'si:) •n. a movement in 20th-cent. Protestantism stressing traditional doctrines of the Reformation in reaction to theological liberalism ne'o-orth´o·dox •adj.

neophyte (ni:´ou fait', ni:´э-) •n. 1 a new convert 2 one just beginning a new kind of life, work, etc.; beginner; novice SYN. AMATEUR [LL(Ec) neophytus < Gr neophytos, newly planted (in 1 Tim. 3:6, a new convert) < neos, NEW + phytos < phyein, to produce, grow: see BONDAGE]

neoplasia (ni:'ou plei´zhэ, -zhi: э) •n. the growth of new tissue, esp. the formation of neoplasms [NEO- + -PLASIA]

neoplasm (ni:´ou plæz'эm) •n. an abnormal growth of tissue, as a tumor [NEO- + -PLASM]

neoplastic (ni:'ou plæs´tik) •adj. 1 of or relating to neoplasia or a neoplasm 2 of or relating to neoplasticism

neoplasticism (ni:'ou plæs´tэ siz'эm) •n. the principles and methods of the de Stijl movement in painting: see DE STIJL [NEO- + PLASTIC + -ISM]

neoplasty (ni:´ou plæs'ti:) •n. the restoration or repair of a part of the body by plastic surgery [NEO- + -PLASTY]

Neoplatonism (ni:'ou pleit´ªn iz'эm) •n. a school of philosophy developed by Plotinus in Alexandria, based on a modified Platonism, and postulating a single source from which all forms of existence emanate and with which the soul seeks mystical union Ne'o·pla·ton´ic (-plei tän´ik) •adj. Ne'o·pla´ton·ist •n.

neoprene (ni:´ou pri:n') •n. a synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene: it is highly resistant to oil, heat, light, and oxidation [NEO- + (CHLORO)PRENE]

Neorican (ni:'ou ri:´kэn) •n. a Puerto Rican who has returned to Puerto Rico after living for some years in New York City: generally considered a pejorative term

Neo-Scholasticism (ni:'ou skэ læs´tэ siz'эm) •n. a 19th- and 20th-cent. philosophical system based on scholasticism, esp. Thomism, but incorporating new elements, as the discoveries of science, to make it applicable to contemporary life

neoteny (ni: ät´ªn i:) •n. Zool. 1 the retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult 2 the development of adult features in the juvenile, as the attainment of sexual maturity in some larvae; paedogenesis ne·o·te·nic (ni:'э ti:´nik, -ten´ik) or ne·o·te'nous (-эs) •adj. [ModL neotenia < neo-, NEO- + Gr teinein, to stretch: see TEND²]

neoteric (ni:'ou ter´ik, ni:'э-) •adj. recent; new; newly invented •n. a modern person; one accepting new ideas and practices ne'o·ter´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL neotericus < Gr neōterikos < neōteros, compar. of neos, NEW]

Neotropical (-träp´i kэl) •adj. designating or of the biogeographic realm that includes South America, the West Indies, Central America, and tropical Mexico Also Ne'o·trop´ic [NEO- + TROPICAL]

Neozoic (-zou´ik) •adj. early name for CENOZOIC [NEO- + -ZOIC]

NEP New Economic Policy: adopted by the U.S.S.R. from 1922-27

Nepal (nэ pöl´, -päl´) country in the Himalayas, between India & Tibet: 54,300 sq. mi. (140,791 sq. km); pop. 17,422,000; cap. Katmandu Nep·a·lese (nep'э li:z´, -li:s´), pl. -lese´, •adj., n.

Nepali (ni pöl´i:, -päl´-; ne-) •n. the Indo-Aryan language of Nepal

nepenthe (ni: pen´θi:, ni-) •n. 1 a drug supposed by the ancient Greeks to cause forgetfulness of sorrow 2 anything causing such forgetfulness Also ne·pen´thes' (-θi:z') ne·pen´the·an (-θi: эn) •adj. [L nepenthes < Gr nepenthēs, removing sorrow < ne-, not (see NO¹) + penthos, sorrow, grief< IE base *kwenth-, to suffer, bear > OIr cessaim, (I) suffer]

nephanalysis (nef'э næl´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. the analysis of the data on a map or chart that pertains to clouds and precipitation; also, such a map or chart [NEPH(O)- + ANALYSIS]

nepheline (nef´э li:n', -lin) •n. a hexagonal mineral, (NaK)AlSiO4, common in some igneous rocks that are relatively deficient in silica Also neph´e·lite' (-lait') [Fr néphéline < Gr nephelē, cloud (see NEBULA) + -ine, -INE¹]

nephelinite (nef´э lin ait') •n. a dark, granular igneous rock composed mainly of nepheline and pyroxene [< prec. + -ITE¹]

nephelo- (nef´э lou', -lэ) combining form clouds, cloudy {nephelometer}: see NEPHO- Also before a vowel, nephel- [< Gr nephelē, a cloud: see NEBULA]

nephelometer (nef'э läm´эt эr) •n. an apparatus for measuring the concentration of a suspension, as of bacteria or other substance, by its scattering of a beam of light [prec. + -METER]

nephew (nef´yu:; chiefly Brit., nev´-) •n. 1 a) the son of one's brother or sister b) the son of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law 2 an illegitimate son, as of a medieval prelate: a euphemism 3 [Obs.] a) grandson b) a descendant [ME neveu < OFr < L nepos < IE base *nepot-, grandson, nephew > Sans napat, OE nefa]

nepho- (nef´ou, -э) combining form cloud, clouds {nephology}: see NEPHELO- Also, before a vowel, neph- [< Gr nephos, cloud: see NEBULA]

nephogram (nef´ou græm', nef´э-) •n. a photograph of a cloud [prec. + -GRAM]

nephology (ni: fäl´э ji:, ni-) •n. the branch of meteorology dealing with clouds neph·o·log·i·cal (nef'ou läj´i kэl) •adj. ne·phol´o·gist •n. [NEPHO- + -LOGY]

nephoscope (nef´э skoup') •n. an instrument for determining the direction and velocity of the movement of clouds [NEPHO- + -SCOPE]

nephr- combining form NEPHRO-: used before a vowel

nephralgia (ni: fræl´ji: э, -fræl´jэ, ni-; ne-) pain in the kidneys [prec. + -ALGIA]

nephrectomy (ni: frek´tэ mi:, ni-; ne-) pl. -mies •n. surgical removal of the kidneys [NEPHR- + -ECTOMY]

nephridium (ni: frid´i: эm, ni-; ne-) pl. -phrid´i·a (-э) •n. 1 a waste-discharging tubule with an external excretory pore, found in many invertebrates, as in worms, mollusks, etc. 2 any of the excretory tubules of the pronephros of a vertebrate embryo ne·phrid´i·al •adj. [ModL < Gr nephridion, dim. of nephros, kidney: see NEPHRO-]

nephrite (nef´rait') •n. a hard, often translucent, usually greenish mineral of the amphibole group, that is a less precious type of jade [Ger nephrit < Gr nephritēs, of the kidneys < nephros, kidney (see NEPHRO-): formerly worn as a supposed remedy for kidney ailments]

nephritic (ni: frit´ik, ni-; ne-) •adj. 1 of a kidney or the kidneys; renal 2 of or having nephritis [LL nephriticus < Gr nephritikos < nephros, kidney: see NEPHRO-]

nephritis (ni: frait´эs, ni-; ne-) •n. an acute or chronic disease of the kidneys, characterized by inflammation, degeneration, fibrosis, etc.: see BRIGHT'S DISEASE [LL < Gr nephritis: see NEPHRO- & -ITIS]

nephro- (nef´rou, -rэ) combining form kidney {nephrotomy, epinephrine} [< Gr nephros, kidney < IE base *negwhros, kidney, testicle > ME nere]

nephrogenic (nef'rou jen´ik, -rэ-) •adj. 1 arising in the kidneys 2 producing kidney tissue [prec. + -GENIC]

nephrology (nэ fräl´э ji:, ni-, ne-) •n. the branch of medicine dealing with the kidney ne·phrol´o·gist •n.

nephron (nef´rän', -rэn) •n. a single urinary tubule in the vertebrate kidney [Ger < Gr nephros: see NEPHRO-]

nephrosis (ni: frou´sis, ni-; ne-) •n. a degenerative disease of the kidneys, characterized by generalized edema, protein in the urine, and an increase in serum cholesterol ne·phrot´ic (-frät´ik) •adj. [NEPHR- + -OSIS]

nephrotomy (ni: frät´э mi:, ni-, ne-) pl. -mies •n. surgical incision into the kidney, as for removing a stone [NEPHRO- + -TOMY]

nepotism (nep´э tiz'эm) •n. favoritism shown to relatives, esp. in appointment to desirable positions nep´o·tist •n. nep'o·tis´tic •adj. [Fr népotisme < It nepotismo < nepote, nephew < L nepos (gen. nepotis), grandson, NEPHEW: from favoritism shown to nephews by medieval prelates]

Neptune (nep´tu:n', -tyu:n') 1 Rom. Myth. the god of the sea: identified with the Greek Poseidon 2 the sea personified 3 the fourth largest planet of the solar system and normally the eighth in distance from the sun: diameter, c. 50,450 km (c. 31,350 mi.); period of revolution, 164.78 earth years; period of rotation, 16.05 hours; eight satellites; symbol, Ψ [ModL] [ME < L Neptunus, prob. < IE *nebhtus < base *nebh-, moist > NEBULA]

Neptunian (nep tu:´ni: эn, -tyu:´-) •adj. 1 of the sea god Neptune 2 of the planet Neptune 3 [often n-] [Obs.] designating or of water-formed strata

neptunium (nep tu:´ni: эm, -tyu:´-) •n. a silvery, radioactive chemical element of the actinide series, produced by irradiating uranium atoms with neutrons: symbol, Np; at. wt., 237.048; at. no., 93; sp. gr., 20.25; melt. pt., 640°C; boil. pt., 3,902°C [ModL < Neptunus, NEPTUNE + -IUM: so named by E. McMillan (1907-91) & P. Abelson (1913- ), U.S. physicists, because next to uranium, as the planet Neptune comes next to Uranus]

neptunium series the radioactive series of nuclides starting with neptunium-237, with a half-life of 2.2 x 106 years, and ending with stable bismuth-209: many radionuclides, as plutonium-241, uranium-237, etc., eventually decay into neptunium-237 and could be considered members of the neptunium series

nerd (nørd) •n. [Slang] a person regarded as dull, unsophisticated, ineffective, etc. nerd´y (-i:) •adj. [? rhyming slang for TURD]

Nereid (nir´i: id) •n. Gr. Myth. any of the sea nymphs, the fifty daughters of Nereus [L Nereis (gen. Nereidis) < Gr Nērēis (gen. Nērēidos) < Nēreus]

nereis (nir´i: is) pl. ne·re·i·des (ni: ri:´э di:z', ni-) •n. any of a genus (Nereis) of relatively large carnivorous marine polychaetes [ModL Nereis < L: see NEREID]

Nereus (nir´i: эs, nir´yu:s') Gr. Myth. a benevolent sea god, father of the fifty Nereids [L < Gr Nereus, prob. < IE *(s)nāu- < base *(s)na-, to flow > NATANT]

neritic (ni: rit´ik, ni-) •adj. designating or of the ecological zone (neritic zone) of the continental shelf extending from low tide to a depth of c. 100 fathoms (c. 180 m) [< Gr nēritēs, a sea snail (< Nereus, prec.) + -IC]

Nernst (neřnst), Wal·ther Her·mann (väl´teř heř´män') 1864-1941; Ger. physicist & chemist

Nero (nir´ou) (Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus) A.D. 37-68; emperor of Rome (54-68): notoriously cruel & depraved Ne·ro´ni·an (-ni: эn) or Ne·ron´ic (-rän´ik) •adj.

neroli (ner´ou li:, nir´-; -э li:) •n. an essential oil distilled from orange flowers and used in perfumery: in full neroli oil [Fr néroli < It neroli, nerolo, after the Princess of Nerole (17th-c.) said to have discovered it]

Neruda (ne řu:´ðä; E nэ ru:´dэ), Pa·blo (pä´blô) (born Ricardo Eliezer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto) 1904-73; Chilean poet

nervate (nør´veit') •adj. Bot. having nerves, or veins

nervation (nэr vei´shэn) •n. VENATION [< fol. + -ATION]

nerve (nørv) •n. 1 orig., a sinew or tendon: now chiefly in phr. strain every nerve, to try as hard as possible 2 any of the cordlike fibers or bundles of fibers connecting the body organs with the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord) and parts of the nervous system with each other, and carrying impulses to and from the brain or a nerve center 3 the pulp of a tooth, including the nerves, blood vessels, etc. 4 emotional control; coolness in danger; courage {a man of nerve} 5 strength; energy; vigor 6 [pl.] the nervous system regarded as indicating health, emotional stability, endurance, etc. 7 [pl.] a) nervousness b) an attack of this; hysteria 8 [Colloq.] impudent boldness; audacity; brazenness 9 Biol. a rib or vein in a leaf or insect's wing •vt. nerved, nerv´ing to give strength or courage to SYN. TEMERITY get on someone's nerves [Colloq.] to make someone irritable or exasperated nerve oneself to collect one's energies or courage for an effort [ME nerfe < OFr nerf < L nervus, sinew, nerve, string < IE base *(s)nēu-, to twist, wind > Gr neuron, tendon, nerve, OE sneowan, to hurry]

nerve block a method of local anesthesia in which the passage of impulses through a particular nerve is stopped by the injection of an anesthetic into or near the nerve

nerve cell 1 NEURON 2 occasionally, a nerve cell body without its processes

nerve center 1 any group of nerve cells that function together in controlling some specific sense or bodily activity, as breathing 2 a control center; headquarters

nerve fiber any of the threadlike elements, either dendrites or axons, making up a nerve

nerve gas any of several poisonous, odorless, colorless, and tasteless liquids that volatilize readily, are rapidly absorbed through the eyes, lungs, or skin, and inactivate the enzyme cholinesterase, causing paralysis of the respiratory and central nervous systems

nerve impulse an all or nothing electrochemical change that sweeps over a nerve fiber when it is stimulated

nerveless (nørv´lis) •adj. 1 without strength, vigor, force, or courage; weak; inert; unnerved 2 not nervous; cool; controlled 3 Biol. without nerves nerve´less·ly •adv.

nerve-racking or nerve-wracking (-ræk'iŋ) •adj. very trying to one's patience or equanimity; causing irritation or exasperation

Nervi (ner´vi:), Pier Lu·i·gi (pir lu: i:´ji:) 1891-1979; It. engineer & architect

nerving (nørv´iŋ) •n. Vet.Med. removal of part of a nerve trunk, as when it is chronically inflamed

nervous (nør´vэs) •adj. 1 orig., strong; sinewy 2 vigorous in expression; animated 3 of the nerves 4 made up of or containing nerves 5 characterized by or having a disordered state of the nerves 6 characterized by or showing emotional tension, restlessness, agitation, etc. 7 fearful; apprehensive nerv´ous·ly •adv. nerv´ous·ness or ner·vos´i·ty (-väs'э ti:) •n. [ME neruous < L nervosus]

nervous breakdown a psychotic or neurotic disorder that impairs the ability to function normally: a popular, nontechnical term

nervous Nellie [Slang] a timid person who is easily upset and is hesitant to act [orig. used of high-strung racehorses: in ref. to old Nell, jocular name for a nag]

nervous system all the nerve cells and nervous tissues in an organism, including, in the vertebrates, the brain, spinal cord, ganglia, nerves, and nerve centers: it coordinates and controls responses to stimuli and conditions behavior and consciousness

nervure (nør´vyur') Biol. VEIN (n. 2 & 3) •n. [Fr: see NERVE & -URE]

nervy (nørv´i:) nerv´i·er, nerv´i·est •adj. 1 [Rare] strong; vigorous; sinewy 2 [Brit.] nervous; excitable; jittery 3 full of courage; bold Æ 4 [Colloq.] rudely bold; brazen; impudent nerv´i·ly •adv. nerv´i·ness •n.

nescient (nesh´эnt, -i: эnt) •adj. 1 lacking knowledge; ignorant 2 AGNOSTIC nes´ci·ence •n. [L nesciens, prp. of nescire, to be ignorant of: see NICE]

ness (nes) •n. a promontory; headland: now chiefly in place names [Inverness] [ME nesse < OE næs & ON nes, akin to OE nosu, NOSE] Ness (nes), Loch lake in Highland region in NW Scotland: 23 mi. (37 km) long

-ness (nis, nэs) suffix state, quality, or instance of being {togetherness, sadness} [ME -nesse < OE -nes(s), akin to Ger -niss, Goth -nassus (for -assus, with n- < end of the preceding component)]

Nesselrode (nes´эl roud') •n. a mixture of preserved fruits, chopped nuts, etc., used in ice cream, puddings, pies, or the like [after Count Karl Nesselrode (1780-1862), Russ statesman]

nest (nest) •n. 1 the structure made or the place chosen by birds for laying their eggs and sheltering their young 2 the place used by turtles, hornets, fish, etc. for spawning or breeding 3 a cozy or snug place in which to live or rest; retreat 4 a) a haunt or den (used esp. in an unfavorable sense) b) the people who frequent such a place {a nest of criminals} 5 a brood, swarm, or colony of birds, insects, etc. 6 a set or series of similar things, each fitting within the one next larger •vi. 1 to build or live in or as in a nest 2 to fit one into another 3 to hunt for birds' nests: usually in the present participle •vt. 1 to make a nest for 2 to place or settle in or as in a nest 3 to fit (an object) closely within another 4 Comput. to embed (a loop, subroutine, etc.) between the first and last instructions of another nest´a·ble •adj. [ME < OE, akin to Ger nest < IE *nizdos (< base *ni-, down + *sed-, to SIT) > L nidus, Welsh nyth]

nest egg 1 an artificial or real egg left in a nest to induce a hen to lay more eggs there 2 money, etc. put aside as a reserve or to establish a fund

n'est-ce pas? (nes pä´) isn't that so? [Fr, is it not?]

nester (nes´tэr) •n. [West] a squatter or homesteader who settles on open range land

nestle (nes´эl) -tled, -tling •vi. 1 orig., to nest 2 to settle down comfortably and snugly 3 to draw or press close for comfort or in affection 4 to lie sheltered or partly hidden, as a house among trees •vt. 1 to rest or press (a baby, one's head, etc.) in a snug, affectionate manner 2 to settle or house as in a nest; shelter nes´tler •n. [ME nestlen < OE nestlian: see NEST & -LE]

nestling (nest´liŋ) •n. 1 a young bird not yet ready to leave the nest 2 a young child [ME (akin to Ger nestling): see NEST & -LING¹]

Nestor (nes´tэr, -tör') 1 a masculine name 2 Gr. Myth. a wise old counselor on the side of the Greeks at Troy •n. [also n-] any wise old man [L < Gr Nestōr, lit., the one who returns, akin to neomai, I return < IE base *nes-, to unite, be concealed > Goth nasjan, to save, OE nesan, to survive]

Nestorianism (nes tör´i: эn iz'эm) •n. the unorthodox doctrine attributed to Nestorius (patriarch of Constantinople, A.D. 428-431) alleging the existence of two persons (one divine, one human) in Jesus Christ: declared heretical in 431 Nes·to´ri·an •n., adj.

net asset value the value of a mutual fund share, determined by dividing the net assets of the fund by the number of shares issued

net national product the total value of a nation's annual output of goods and services minus the value of capital goods used up in the production of this output

net ton a unit of weight equal to 2,000 pounds; short ton

net¹ (net) •n. 1 a fabric made from string, cord, etc., loosely knotted or woven in an openwork pattern and used to trap or snare birds, fish, etc. 2 anything that catches or entraps; trap; snare 3 any of various devices made of meshed fabric, used to hold, protect, or mark off something {a hairnet, tennis net} 4 a fine, meshed, lacelike cloth, used to make curtains, trim garments, etc. 5 NETWORK (sense 2a & b) 6 Tennis, Badminton a ball or shuttlecock that hits the net, whether or not it goes over: in full net ball •vt. net´ted, net´ting 1 to make into net or a net 2 to make with net 3 to trap or snare with or as with a net 4 to protect, shelter, or enclose with or as with a net 5 Tennis, Badminton to drive (the ball) into the net •vi. to make nets or network net´like' •adj. [ME < OE nett, akin to Ger netz, Goth nati < IE base *ned-, to twist together > L nodus, a knot]

net² (net) •adj. 1 remaining after certain deductions or allowances have been made, as for expenses, weight of containers or waste materials, nonessential considerations, etc. 2 after all considerations; final {net loss} •n. a net amount, profit, weight, price, result, etc. •vt. net´ted, net´ting to get or bring in as a net; clear as profit, etc. [ME, trim, clean < Fr: see NEAT¹]

Neth Netherlands

nether (neð´эr) •adj. 1 lying, or thought of as lying, below the earth's surface {the nether world} 2 lower or under {the nether tip of a crescent} [ME nethere < OE neothera, akin to Ger nieder < IE base *ni-, down + compar. suffix]

nether world Theol., Myth. the world of the dead or of punishment after death; hell

Netherlands (neð´эr lэndz) 1 country in W Europe, on the North Sea: 15,770 sq. mi. (40,844 sq. km); pop. 14,536,000; cap. Amsterdam; seat of government, The Hague 2 kingdom consisting of the independent states of the Netherlands & Netherlands Antilles Du. name NEDERLAND Neth´er·land'er (-lænd'эr, -lэn dэr) •n.

Netherlands (East) Indies former island possessions of the Netherlands, in the East Indies: now part of Indonesia

Netherlands Antilles islands in the West Indies, constituting a part of the kingdom of the Netherlands & comprising two of the Leeward Islands & part of another & three islands off the coast of Venezuela: 394 sq. mi. (1,020 sq. km); pop. 260,000; cap. Willemstad

Netherlands Guiana old name of SURINAME

Netherlands New Guinea old name of WEST IRIAN

nethermost (neð´эr moust') •adj. lowest; farthest down [ME nethermest: see NETHER & -MOST]

Néthou (nei tu:´), Pic de (pi:k dэ) Fr. name of Pico de ANETO

netsuke (net´su ki:', -sэ kei') •n. an ornamental button or figure of ivory, wood, etc., once used to attach a purse or other article to a kimono sash [Jpn]

Nettie or Netty (net´i:) a feminine name: see ANTOINETTE, HENRIETTA, JEANNETTE

netting (net´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or process of making nets 2 the action or right of fishing with nets 3 netted material

nettle (net´ªl) •n. 1 any of a genus (Urtica) of annual and perennial weeds of the nettle family with stinging hairs 2 any of various other stinging or spiny plants •adj. designating a family (Urticaceae, order Urticales) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous plants usually covered with stinging hairs, including the ramie •vt. -tled, -tling 1 to sting with or as with nettles 2 to irritate; annoy; vex SYN. IRRITATE net´tler •n. [ME netle < OE netele, akin to Ger nessel < IE base *ned-, to twist together > NET¹: from the use of such plants as a source of spinning fiber]

nettle rash URTICARIA

nettlesome (-sэm) •adj. that nettles or irritates

net-winged (net´wiŋd') •adj. having a network of veins in the wings: said of insects

network (net´wørk') •n. 1 any arrangement or fabric of parallel wires, threads, etc. crossed at regular intervals by others fastened to them so as to leave open spaces; netting; mesh 2 a thing resembling this in some way; specif., a) a system of roads, canals, veins, etc. that connect with or cross one another b) a group, system, etc. of interconnected or cooperating individuals c) Comput. a system consisting of a computer, or computers, and connected terminals, printers, etc. 3 Radio, TV a) a chain of transmitting stations linked by wire or microwave relay, usually sharing the same programs b) a company that produces programs to be broadcast over such a network 4 the making of nets or netted fabric •adj. broadcast over the stations of a network •vi. to develop contacts or exchange information with others, as to further a career •vt. 1 to connect (a computer) to a network 2 Radio, TV a) to present on or broadcast over a network b) to organize or integrate into a network [NET¹ + WORK]

networking (-iŋ) •n. 1 the developing of contacts or exchanging of information with others in an informal network, as to further a career 2 the interconnection, as over communication lines, of computer systems

Neuchâtel (nö shä tel´; E nu:'shэ tel´) 1 canton of W Switzerland, on the French border: 308 sq. mi. (797 sq. km); pop. 158,000 2 its capital, on the Lake of Neuchâtel: pop. 32,000 3 Lake of lake in W Switzerland: 84 sq. mi. (217 sq. km)

Neuenburg (noi´эn buřk') Ger. name of NEUCHÂTEL

Neufchâtel (cheese) (nø'shä tel´, nu:'-; Fr nö shä tel´) a soft white cheese prepared from whole milk or skim milk and eaten fresh or cured [Fr, after Neufchâtel, town in N France]

Neuilly-sur-Seine (nö yi: süř sen´) city in NC France: suburb of Paris: pop. 73,000

neuk (nyu:k) •n. [Scot.] a nook; corner

neume or neum (nu:m, nyu:m) •n. 1 any of various notational signs used in medieval church music, orig. put above words to be sung so as to show approximate pitch, melody line, etc. 2 in Gregorian chant, a specific musical note, often sustained, or a group of such notes neu·mat´ic •adj. [Fr < ML neuma, prob. ult. < Syriac ne'mo, a sound, tone, song: altered in form and sense by assoc. with Gr neuma, a sign, pneuma, a breath]

neur- combining form NEURO-: used before a vowel {neuralgia}

neural (nu:´rэl, nyu:´-; nu:r´эl, nyu:r´-) •adj. of a nerve, nerves, or the nervous system [prec. + -AL]

neural arch a bony or cartilaginous arch resting on the chief part of each vertebra and forming a tunnel through which the nerve cord passes

neural tube a tubular, primitive, dorsal structure formed from ectodermal tissue in the early vertebrate embryo, that develops into the brain and spinal cord

neuralgia (nu: ræl´jэ, nyu:-; -ji: э) •n. severe pain along the course of a nerve or in its area of distribution neu·ral´gic (-jik) •adj. [ModL: see NEUR- & -ALGIA]

neurasthenia (nu:'ræs θi:´ni: э, nyu:'-, nur'æs-, nyu:r'-) •n. a former category of mental disorder, including such symptoms as irritability, fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and localized pains without apparent physical causes, thought to result from weakness or exhaustion of the nervous system neu'ras·then´ic (-θen´ik) •adj., n. [ModL: see NEURO- & ASTHENIA]

neurectomy (nu: rek´tэ mi:, nyu:-) pl. -mies •n. surgical removal of a nerve or part of a nerve [NEUR- + -ECTOMY]

neurilemma (nu:'ri lem´э, nyu:'-) •n. the thin outer sheath covering a nerve fiber [ModL, altered (infl. by Gr lemma, skin, peel) < neurilema < Gr neuron, NERVE + eilēma, a covering < eilyein, to wind, wrap: see WALK]

neurine (nu:´ri:n', nyu:´-; -rin) •n. a ptomaine poison, CH2:CHN(CH3)3OH, formed by the dehydration of choline, as during the putrefaction of flesh [NEUR- + -INE³]

neuritis (nu: rait´эs, nyu:-) •n. inflammation of a nerve or nerves, often associated with a degenerative process, and accompanied by changes in sensory and motor activity in the region of the affected nerve neu·rit´ic (-rit´ik) •adj. [ModL: see NEURO- & -ITIS]

neuro- (nu:´rou, nyu:´-; -rэ; nur´ou, nyur´ou; -э) combining form of a nerve, nerves, or the nervous system {neuropathy} [< Gr neuron, NERVE]

neuroanatomy (nu:'rou э næt´э mi:, nyu:-) •n. a branch of anatomy dealing with the nervous system neu·ro·an'a·tom´i·cal (-æn'э täm´i kэl) •adj. neu'ro·a·nat´o·mist •n.

neurobiology (-bai äl´э ji:) •n. a branch of biology that deals with the nervous system and its ability to react, learn, etc. neu'ro·bi·ol´o·gist •n.

neuroblast (-blæst') •n. any of the embryonic cells from which the nerve cells develop [NEURO- + -BLAST]

neurocoel or neurocoele (-si:l') •n. the cavity of the chordate cerebrospinal system, consisting of the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, regarded as a unit [NEURO- + -COELE]

neuroepithelium (nu:'rou ep'э θi:´li: эm, nyu:'-) •n. a highly specialized structure of epithelial origin, serving as the ending of a nerve of special sense

neurofibril (-fai´bril) •n. a fibril comprising part of a nerve cell neu'ro·fi´bril·lar'y (-er i:) •adj.

neurogenic (-jen´ik) •adj. 1 originating in nervous tissue 2 stimulated or induced by nervous factors 3 controlled by nerve impulses neu'ro·gen´i·cal·ly •adv.

neuroglia (nu: räg´li: э, nyu:-) •n. the connective tissue, consisting of a special type of branched cells, that binds together and supports the nerve tissue of the central nervous system neu·rog´li·al •adj. [ModL < NEURO- + MGr glia, for Gr gloios, GLUE]

neurohormone (-hör´moun) •n. a hormone made by nervous tissue neu'ro·hor·mo´nal (-mou´nэl) •adj.

neurohumor (nu:'rou hyu:´mэr, nyu:'-) •n. NEUROTRANSMITTER neu'ro·hu´mor·al •adj. [NEURO- + HUMOR]

neuroleptic (-lep´tik) •adj. tranquilizing •n. a tranquilizing drug [Fr neuroleptique < Gr neuron, NERVE + lēptos, seizing < lambanein, to seize: see EPILEPSY]

neurology (nu: räl´э ji:, nyu:-) •n. the branch of medicine dealing with the nervous system, its structure, and its diseases neu·ro·log·i·cal (nu:'rou läj´i kэl, nyu:'-) •adj. neu'ro·log´i·cal·ly •adv. neu·rol´o·gist •n. [ModL neurologia: see NEURO- & -LOGY]

neurolysis (-э sis) •n. 1 destruction or exhaustion of nerve tissue 2 the freeing of a nerve from adhesions neu·ro·lyt·ic (nu:'rou lit´ik, nyu:'-) •adj. [ModL: see NEURO- & -LYSIS]