nocturn (näk´tэrn) •n. any of the divisions of the office of matins [ME nocturne < OFr < ML(Ec) nocturna < L nocturnus: see NOCTURNAL]
nocturnal (näk tør´nэl) •adj. 1 of, done, or happening in the night 2 functioning or active during the night 3 having blossoms that open at night, as some flowers noc·tur´nal·ly •adv. [LME < LL nocturnalis < L nocturnus < nox (gen. noctis), NIGHT]
nocturne (näk´tørn') •n. 1 a painting of a night scene 2 a musical composition, esp. for the piano, of a romantic or dreamy character thought appropriate to night [Fr < L nocturnus: see NOCTURNAL]
nocuous (näk´yu: эs) •adj. harmful; poisonous; noxious noc´u·ous·ly •adv. [L nocuus < nocere: see NECRO-]
nod (näd) nod´ded, nod´ding •vi. 1 to bend the head forward slightly and raise it again quickly, as a sign of greeting, command, acknowledgment, invitation, or, specif., of agreement or assent 2 to let the head fall forward involuntarily because of drowsiness; be very sleepy 3 to be inattentive or careless; make a slip 4 to sway back and forth or up and down, or to hang down, as the tops of trees, flowers, plumes, etc. 5 [Slang] to be under the influence of a drug, as heroin •vt. 1 to bend (the head) forward slightly and raise it again quickly 2 to signify (assent, approval, agreement, etc.) by doing this 3 to invite or dismiss by a nod •n. 1 a nodding, as of the head, treetops, etc. 2 a sign of affirmation, assent, favorable decision, etc. {to give or get the nod} 3 see LAND OF NOD nod off to fall asleep, esp. when sitting up nod out [Slang] to become unconscious from the effects of a drug nod´der •n. [ME nodden, prob. in basic sense to shake the head, akin to Ger notten, to move about, OHG hnotōn, to shake, OE hnossian, to knock < IE *kneudh < base *ken-, to scratch, scrape > NIP¹]
nodal (noud´ªl) •adj. of or like a node or nodes no·dal·i·ty (nou dæl´э ti:) •n. nod´al·ly •adv.
nodding acquaintance 1 a slight, not intimate, acquaintance with a person or thing 2 a person whom one knows slightly
noddle (näd´ªl) •n. [Old Colloq.] the head; pate: a humorous term [ME nodle < ?]
noddy (näd´i:) pl. -dies •n. 1 a fool; simpleton 2 any of a genus (Anous) of tropical terns with dark body feathers and pale gray crown [< ? NOD + -Y³]
node (noud) •n. 1 a knot; knob; swelling 2 a point of concentration; central point 3 Anat. a knotty, localized swelling; protuberance 4 Astron. either of the two diametrically opposite points at which the orbit of a celestial body intersects a reference plane, as the ecliptic 5 Bot. that part, or joint, of a stem from which a leaf starts to grow 6 Geom. the point where a continuous curve crosses or meets itself 7 Physics the point, line, or surface of a vibrating object, as a string, virtually free of vibration [L nodus, a knot: see NET¹]
nodical (näd´i kэl, nou´di-) •adj. Astron. of the nodes
nodose (nou´dous', nou dous´) •adj. having nodes; knotty: said of roots, etc. no·dos´i·ty (-däs´э ti:) •n. [L nodosus]
nodule (näj´u:l') •n. 1 a small knot or irregular, rounded lump 2 Anat. a small node 3 Bot. a small knot or joint on a stem or root, esp. one containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria 4 Geol. a small, usually rounded body harder than the surrounding material nod´u·lar, nod´u·lose', or nod´u·lous •adj. [L nodulus, dim. of nodus, a knot: see NET¹]
nodus (nou´dэs) pl. -di' (-dai') •n. complication; difficulty; knotty situation, as in a play [ME < L, a knot, NODE]
Noel (nou´эl) a masculine or feminine name [OFr Nouel, Noel, lit., natal: see NOEL: cf. NATALIE]
noel or noël (nou el´) •n. 1 a Christmas carol 2 [N-] Christmas [< Fr noël < OFr nowel, nouel < L natalis, NATAL]
noetic (nou et´ik) •adj. of or having to do with the mind or intellect; sometimes, specif., able to be understood only by the intellect no·e´sis (-i:´sis) •n. [Gr noētikos < noēsis < noein, to perceive < nous, the mind]
no-fault (nou´fölt´) •adj. 1 designating or of a form of insurance which covers certain losses of all persons injured, as in an automobile accident, without regard to fault 2 designating a form of divorce granted without blame being sought or established
no-frills (nou´frilz´) •adj. [Slang] having few or no special services, luxuries, embellishments, etc.
nog¹ (näg) •n. any of various wooden pins or blocks, esp. a brick-shaped block set in a wall to hold nails •vt. nogged, nog´ging to fill in (a space in a wall, as between studs) with bricks [< ?]
nog² or nogg (näg) •n. 1 [Brit.] a kind of strong ale Æ 2 EGGNOG [< East Anglian dial. < ?]
noggin (näg´in) •n. 1 a small cup or mug 2 one fourth of a pint: a measure for ale or liquor Æ 3 [Colloq.] the head [prob. < prec.]
nogging (näg´iŋ) •n. brick masonry built up between wooden uprights, as studs [< NOG¹]
no-go (nou´gou´) •adj. not functioning properly or not ready to go [Slang: orig. astronaut's jargon]
no-good (nou´gud´) •adj. [Slang] contemptible; despicable
no-growth (nou´grouθ') •adj. of a policy or practice of not welcoming or encouraging new residents, industries, or commercial ventures to a community or area
Noguchi (nou gu:´chi:) 1 Hi·de·yo (hi:´de you´) 1876-1928; U.S. bacteriologist, born in Japan 2 I·sa·mu (i:´sä mu:') 1904-88; U.S. sculptor
noh (nou) •n. NO²
no-hitter (nou´hit´эr) •n. a baseball game in which the pitcher allows the opponents no base hits no´-hit´ •adj.
nohow (nou´hau') •adv. [Dial.] in no manner; not at all
noil (noil) •n. short or knotted textile fibers combed from the long staple or, sometimes, spun in with longer staple to make yarn [< SW Yorkshire dial. < ?]
noir (nwär) •n. 1 short for FILM NOIR 2 fiction in which mood, plot, etc. are like those of film noir •adj. of or characteristic of noir [Fr, black]
noise (noiz) •n. 1 a) loud or confused shouting; din of voices; clamor b) any loud, discordant, or disagreeable sound or sounds 2 a sound of any kind {the noise of the rain} 3 [Colloq.] a) gossip; rumor; scandal b) a protest or accusation c) something that draws public notice 4 Electronics any unwanted electrical signal within a communication system that interferes with the sound or image being communicated •vt. noised, nois´ing to spread about (a report, rumor, etc.): usually with about, around, abroad, etc. •vi. [Now Rare] 1 to talk much or loudly 2 to make noise or a noise SYN.—noise is the general word for any loud, unmusical, or disagreeable sound; din refers to a loud, prolonged, deafening sound, painful to the ears [the din of the steeple bells]; uproar applies to a loud, confused sound, as of shouting, laughing, etc., and connotes commotion or disturbance [his remarks threw the audience into an uproar]; clamor suggests loud, continued, excited shouting, as in protest or demand [the clamor of an aroused people]; hubbub implies the confused mingling of many voices [the hubbub of a subway station]; racket refers to a loud, clattering combination of noises regarded as annoyingly excessive [he couldn't work for the racket next door] —ANT. quiet [ME < OFr, noise, quarreling, clamor < L nausea: see NAUSEA]
noiseless (noiz´lis) •adj. with little or no noise; very quiet noise´less·ly •adv. noise´less·ness •n.
noisemaker (noiz´meik'эr) •n. a person or thing that makes noise; specif., a horn, cowbell, etc. used for making noise in celebration, as on New Year's Eve
noisette (nwä zet´) •n. a small, rounded piece of meat
noisome (noi´sэm) •adj. 1 injurious to health; harmful 2 having a bad odor; foul-smelling noi´some·ly •adv. noi´some·ness •n. [ME noyesum < noy, aphetic < anoy < OFr anoi: see ANNOY & -SOME¹]
noisy (noiz´i:) nois´i·er, nois´i·est •adj. 1 making, or accompanied by, noise 2 making more sound than is expected or customary 3 full of noise; clamorous {the noisy city} nois´i·ly •adv. nois´i·ness •n.
no-knock (nou´näk´) •adj. [Colloq.] designating or based on laws or provisions which permit police with search warrants to enter a private dwelling by force without announcing or identifying themselves
nolens volens (nou´lenz' vou´lenz') unwilling (or) willing; whether or not one wishes it; willy-nilly [L]
noli me tangere (nou´lai mi: tæn´jэ ri:) 1 a warning against touching or meddling 2 JEWELWEED [L, lit., touch me not]
nolle prosequi (näl´i: präs´i kwai') Law 1 formal notice by the prosecutor that prosecution in a criminal case will be ended as to one or more counts, one or more defendants, or altogether 2 similar notice by the plaintiff in a civil suit [L, to be unwilling to prosecute]
nolo contendere (nou´lou kэn ten´dэ ri:) Law a plea by which a defendant in a criminal case does not make a defense but does not admit guilt: it leaves the defendant open to conviction but does not prejudice his or her case in collateral proceedings [L, lit., I do not wish to contest (it)]
no-load (nou´loud´) •adj. designating or of mutual funds charging no commissions on sales
no-lose (nou lu:z´) •adj. [Colloq.] designating or of a situation, policy, etc. that is sure to succeed
nol-pros (näl'präs´) -prossed´, -pros´sing •vt. to abandon (all or part of a suit) by entering a nolle prosequi on the court records [< abbrev. of NOLLE PROSEQUI]
nom nominative
nom de guerre (näm' dэ ger´; Fr nouñd geř´) pl. noms de guerre (Fr nouñd) a pseudonym [Fr, lit., war name]
nom de plume (näm' dэ plu:m´; Fr nouñ dэ plüm´) pl. noms de plume (Fr nouñ) a pen name; pseudonym SYN. PSEUDONYM [Fr]
noma (nou´mэ) •n. a severe ulcerous condition of the mouth, occurring esp. in young children, as after debilitating disease, and usually resulting in gangrene [ModL < Gr nomē, a spreading (of sores), lit., a feeding < nemein, to distribute: see -NOMY]
nomad (nou´mæd') •n. 1 a member of a tribe or people having no permanent home, but moving about constantly in search of food, pasture, etc. 2 any wanderer who has no fixed home •adj. nomadic; wandering no´mad·ism' (-mæd iz'эm) •n. [L nomas (gen. nomadis) < Gr, orig., roaming about for pasture < nemein, to pasture, orig., to distribute: see -NOMY]
nomadic (nou mæd´ik) •adj. of, characteristic of, or like nomads or their way of life SYN. ITINERANT no·mad´i·cal·ly •adv.
nombril (näm´brэl) •n. Heraldry the point on a shield just below the true center; navel point [Fr, the navel, for OFr lombril < LL *umbiliculus, dim. < L umbilicus, NAVEL]
nome (noum) •n. a province of ancient Egypt [Gr nomos < nemein, distribute: see -NOMY] Nome (noum) city in W Alas., on S coast of Seward Peninsula: pop. 3,500 [after nearby Cape Nome, prob. < ? name, query on an early map, misread as C. Nome]
nomen (nou´mэn) pl. nom·i·na (näm´i nэ) the second of the three names of an ancient Roman, following the praenomen and preceding the cognomen (Ex.: Marcus Tullius Cicero) •n. [L, NAME]
nomenclator (nou´mэn kleit'эr) •n. 1 a person, specif. a slave in ancient Rome, who announces the names of guests, etc. 2 a person who invents names for, or assigns them to, things, as in scientific classification [L < nomen, NAME + calator, caller, crier < pp. of calare, to call: see CLAMOR]
nomenclature (nou´mэn klei'chэr; also nou men´klэ-) •n. 1 the system or set of names used in a specific branch of learning or activity, as in biology for plants and animals, or for the parts of a particular mechanism 2 the act or a system of naming [L nomenclatura: see NOMENCLATOR]
Nomex (nou´meks') trademark for a lightweight, fire-resistant, nylon fiber made into garments, aircraft upholstery, etc.
-nomics (näm´iks) combining form economics: used in forming compounds naming a (specified) kind of economic policy or one associated with a (specified) public official {urbanomics, voodoonomics, Reaganomics} Also -omics
nominal (näm´э nэl) •adj. 1 of, consisting of, having the nature of, or giving a name or names 2 of or having to do with a noun or nouns 3 in name only, not in fact {the nominal leader} 4 very small compared to usual expectations; slight {a nominal fee} •n. Linguis. a noun or other word or word group, including adjectives, that occurs in grammatical functions typical of nouns; substantive [ME nominalle < L nominalis, of a name < nomen, NAME]
nominal value PAR VALUE
nominal wages wages stated in terms of money paid, not in terms of purchasing power
nominalism (-iz'эm) •n. a doctrine of the late Middle Ages that all universal or abstract terms are mere necessities of thought or conveniences of language and therefore exist as names only and have no general realities corresponding to them: opposed to REALISM (sense 3a) nom´i·nal·ist •n., adj. nom'i·nal·is´tic •adj. [Fr nominalisme: see NOMINAL & -ISM]
nominally (-nэl i:) •adv. 1 in a nominal way 2 in name only 3 by name
nominate (näm´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 orig., to name, call, or designate 2 to name or appoint to an office or position 3 a) to name as a candidate for election or appointment; propose for office b) to propose as a candidate for an award or honor 4 to enter (a horse) in a horse race nom´i·na'tor •n. [< L nominatus, pp. of nominare, to name < nomen, NAME]
nomination (näm'э nei´shэn) •n. the act of nominating or the fact of being nominated [ME, calling by name < OFr < L nominatio < pp. of nominare: see NOMINATE]
nominative (näm´э nэ tiv; for adj. 1 & 2, also, -neit'iv) •adj. 1 appointed or filled by appointment 2 having the name of a person on it, as a stock certificate 3 Gram. designating, of, or in the case of the subject of a finite verb •n. [L nominativus (casus)] 1 the nominative case 2 a word in this case [ME nomenatyf < OFr nominatif < L nominativus, belonging to a name < pp. of nominare: see NOMINATE]
nominee (näm'э ni:´) •n. a person who is nominated, esp. a candidate for election [NOMIN(ATE) + -EE¹]
nomo- (nou´mou, -mэ; näm´ou, -э) combining form law or custom {nomology} [< Gr nomos, law: see -NOMY]
nomogram (näm´э græm', nou´mэ-) •n. a set of scales for the variables in a problem which are so distorted and so placed that a straight line connecting the known values on some scales will provide the unknown values at its intersections with other scales Also nom´o·graph'
nomography (nou mäg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the art of drafting laws 2 a treatise on law or on the drafting of laws 3 a) the science of making nomograms b) the laws for constructing such charts nom·o·graph·ic (näm'ou græf´ik, nou'mэ-) •adj. nom'o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr nomographia < nomos, law (see -NOMY) + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC]
nomological (näm'ou läj´i kэl, nou´mэ-) •adj. conforming to or stating laws of nature or rules of logic
nomothetic (näm'э θet´ik) •adj. 1 giving or enacting laws 2 based on law 3 of a science of general or universal laws Also nom'o·thet´i·cal [Gr nomothetikos < nomothetēs lawgiver < nomos, law (see -NOMY) + tithenai, to make, DO¹]
-nomy (nэ mi:) combining form the systematized knowledge of or the system of laws governing {astronomy, taxonomy} [Gr -nomia < nomos, law < nemein to distribute, govern < IE base *nem-, to assign, take, arrange > L numerus, NUMBER, OE niman, Ger nehmen, to take]
non- (nän; also nûn) prefix 1 a) not b) the opposite of {nonessential} c) excluded (from a specified category) {nonvoter, nonfiction} d) refusal or failure {noncooperation}: used to give a negative or privative force, esp. to nouns, adjectives, and adverbs 2 having the superficial aspect, but not the real value, of: used to give a pejorative force, esp. to nouns {nonbook, nonevent} 3 having the value, but not the surface aspect or identity, of: used to indicate potential, but unacknowledged or unrecognized, qualities {noncandidate, noncampaign} As used in sense 1, non- is less emphatic than IN-² and UN-, which often give a word a strong opposite or reverse meaning or force (Ex.: nonhuman vs. inhuman) A hyphen may be used after non- and is generally used when the base word begins with a capital letter The list at the bottom of this and the following pages includes the more common compounds formed with non- that do not have special meanings; they will be understood if not is used before the meaning of the base word nonabrasive nonabsorbent nonacademic nonacceptance nonacid nonacidic nonactinic nonactive nonaddictive nonadjacent nonadjectival nonadjustable nonadministrative nonadvantageous nonadverbial nonaesthetic nonaffiliated non-African nonaggression nonaggressive nonagreement nonagricultural nonalcoholic nonalgebraic nonallergenic nonallergic nonalphabetic nonamendable non-American nonanalytic non-Anglican nonantagonistic nonapologetic nonapostolic nonappearing nonapplicable nonaquatic non-Arab non-Arabic nonaristocratic nonarithmetical nonartistic non-Aryan non-Asiatic nonassertive nonassessable nonassignable nonassimilable nonassimilation nonassociative nonathletic nonatmospheric nonattendance nonattributive nonauthoritative nonautomatic nonautomotive nonavailability nonbacterial nonbasic nonbeliever nonbelieving nonbelligerency nonbelligerent non-Biblical nonblack nonblooming nonbreakable non-British non-Buddhist nonbudding nonbureaucratic nonburnable nonbusiness noncaking noncalcareous noncaloric noncancelable noncancerous noncanonical noncapitalistic noncarbohydrate noncarbonated noncarnivorous noncategorical non-Catholic non-Caucasoid noncellular noncensored noncereal noncertified nonchargeable nonchemical non-Chinese non-Christian nonchurch noncitizen noncivilized nonclassical nonclassifiable nonclerical nonclinical noncoagulating noncoalescing noncoercive noncognitive noncohesive noncollaborative noncollapsible noncollectable noncollectible noncollegiate noncolloid noncombat noncombining noncombustible noncommercial noncommissioned noncommunicable noncommunicant noncommunicating non-Communist noncompensating noncompetency noncompetent noncompeting noncompetitive noncomplacent noncompletion noncomplying noncomprehending noncompressible noncompression noncompulsory nonconciliating nonconclusive nonconcurrence noncondensing nonconducive nonconducting nonconductive nonconferrable nonconfidential nonconflicting nonconformance nonconforming noncongealing noncongenital noncongestion non-Congressional nonconnective nonconscious nonconsecutive nonconsent nonconservative nonconstitutional nonconstructive noncontagious noncontemporary noncontentious noncontiguous noncontinental noncontinuance noncontinuous noncontraband noncontradiction noncontradictory noncontributing noncontributory noncontrollable noncontrolled noncontroversial nonconventional nonconvergent nonconvertible nonconviction noncoordinating noncorporate noncorrective noncorresponding noncorrodible noncorroding noncorrosive noncreative noncredible noncriminal noncritical noncrucial noncrystalline nonculpable noncultivated noncultivation noncumulative noncurrent noncyclic non-Czech nondamageable non-Darwinian nondecaying nondeceptive nondeciduous nondeductible nondefamatory nondefensive nondeferential nondeferrable nondefilement nondefining nondehiscent nondelivery nondemand nondemocratic nondepartmental nondeparture nondependence nondepletion nondepositor nondepreciating nonderivative nonderogatory nondespotic nondestructive nondetachable nondetonating nondevelopment nondevotional nondialectal nondictatorial nondidactic nondifferentiation nondiffractive nondiffusible nondiffusing nondilatable nondiplomatic nondirectional nondirective nondisappearing nondischarging nondisciplinary nondiscrimination nondiscriminatory nondisfranchised nondisparaging nondispersion nondisposal nondistinctive nondistributive nondivergent nondivisible nondoctrinaire nondoctrinal nondocumentary nondogmatic nondomesticated nondramatic nondrinker nondriver nondrying nondutiable nondynastic nonearning nonecclesiastical noneconomic nonedible noneditorial noneducable noneducational noneffective noneffervescent nonefficacious nonefficient nonelastic nonelective nonelectric nonelectrical nonelectrolyte nonelementary nonemotional nonemphatic nonempirical nonencyclopedic nonendemic nonenforceable nonenforcement non-English nonentailed nonephemeral nonepiscopal nonequal nonequivalent nonequivocating nonerotic noneternal nonethical noneugenic non-European nonevangelical nonevasion noneviction nonevolutionary nonexchangeable nonexclusive nonexcusable nonexecution nonexecutive nonexempt nonexisting nonexotic nonexpansive nonexpendable nonexperienced nonexperimental nonexpert nonexplosive nonexportable nonextended nonextension nonexternal nonextraditable nonextraneous nonfactual nonfading nonfanatical nonfanciful non-Fascist nonfat nonfatal nonfatalistic nonfattening nonfederal nonfederated nonfertile nonfestive nonfeudal nonfiction nonfictional nonfiduciary nonfigurative nonfilterable nonfinancial nonfireproof nonfiscal nonfissile nonfissionable nonflammable nonflowering nonflowing nonfluctuating nonflying nonfocal nonforfeiture nonformal nonfraudulent nonfreezing non-French nonfricative nonfulfillment nonfunctional nonfunctioning nonfundamental nongaseous nongelatinous nongenerative nongenetic non-Gentile non-German non-Germanic nongovernmental nongranular non-Greek nongregarious nonhabitable nonhabitual nonhabituating nonharmonious nonhazardous nonheathen non-Hellenic nonhereditary nonheritable nonhistoric nonhomogeneous nonhostile nonhuman nonhumorous nonidentical nonidiomatic nonidolatrous nonignitable nonimaginary nonimitative nonimmune nonimmunized nonimperative nonimperial nonimportation nonimpregnated noninclusive nonindependent nonindexed non-Indian nonindictable nonindividualistic non-Indo-European nonindustrial noninfallible noninfected noninfectious noninflammable noninflammatory noninflationary noninflectional noninformative noninheritable noninjurious noninstructional noninstrumental nonintegrated nonintellectual nonintelligent noninterchangeable nonintercourse noninterference noninternational nonintersecting nonintoxicant nonintoxicating nonintuitive noninvolvement noniodized nonionized non-Irish nonirradiated nonirrigated nonirritant nonirritating non-Islamic non-Israelite non-Italian non-Japanese non-Jew non-Jewish nonjudicial non-Latin nonleafy nonlegal nonlicensed nonlife nonlimiting nonlinear nonliquefying nonliquid nonliquidating nonliteral nonliterary nonliterate nonliturgical nonliving nonlocal nonlogical nonluminous nonlustrous non-Lutheran nonmagnetic nonmailable nonmaintenance nonmalignant nonmalleable nonmarital nonmaritime nonmarketable nonmartial nonmaterial nonmaterialistic nonmaternal nonmathematical nonmatrimonial nonmechanical nonmechanistic nonmedical nonmedicated nonmedicinal nonmedicinally nonmelodious nonmember nonmembership nonmenstrual nonmercantile nonmetaphysical nonmetropolitan nonmigratory nonmilitant nonmilitary nonmineral nonministerial nonmobile non-Mormon nonmortal nonmotile nonmunicipal nonmuscular nonmusical non-Muslim nonmystical nonmythical nonnarcotic nonnational nonnative nonnatural nonnautical nonnaval nonnavigable nonnecessity nonnegotiable non-Negro nonneutral nonnormative nonnucleated nonnumerical nonnutritious nonnutritive nonobedience nonobligatory nonobservance nonobservant nonobstructive nonoccupational nonoccurrence nonodorous nonofficial nonoperating nonoperational nonoperative nonopposition nonoptional nonoriental non-Oriental nonorthodox nonoxidizing nonoxygenated nonpacific nonpagan nonpalatal nonpalatalization nonpapal nonpapist nonparallel nonparasitic nonparental nonparishioner nonparliamentary nonparochial nonparticipant nonparty nonpasserine nonpaying nonpayment nonperceptual nonperformance nonperforming nonperiodical nonperishable nonperishing nonpermanent nonpermeable nonpermissible nonpersecution nonpersistent nonphilosophical nonphonemic nonphysical nonphysiological nonplastic nonplausible nonpoetic nonpoisonous nonpolitical nonporous nonpossession nonpostal nonpredatory nonpredictable nonpreferential nonprejudicial nonprescriptive nonpreservative nonpresidential nonprevalent nonpriestly nonproducer nonprofessional nonprofessorial nonproficient nonprofitable nonprogressive nonprohibitive nonprolific nonprophetic nonproportional nonproprietary nonproscriptive nonprotective nonprotein non-Protestant nonproven nonpsychic nonpublic nonpuncturable nonpunishable nonpurulent nonracial nonradiating nonradical nonradioactive nonratable nonrational nonreactive nonreader nonrealistic nonreality nonreceiving nonreciprocal nonreciprocating nonrecognition nonrecoverable nonrecurrent nonrecurring nonredeemable nonrefillable nonregenerating nonregimented nonregistered nonregistrable nonregulation nonreigning nonrelative nonreligious nonremission nonremovable nonremunerative nonrenewable nonrepayable nonrepentance nonrepresentative nonreproductive nonresidual nonresonant nonrestricted nonretentive nonretiring nonretraceable nonretractile nonretroactive nonreturnable nonrevealing nonreversible nonrevertible nonrevolting nonrevolving nonrhetorical nonrhyming nonrhythmic nonrigid nonritualistic nonrival non-Roman nonromantic nonrotating nonroyal nonrural non-Russian nonsacramental nonsacred nonsacrificial nonsalable nonsalaried nonsalutary nonsaturated non-Scandinavian nonscholastic nonscientific nonscoring nonseasonal nonsecret nonsecretory nonsectional nonsecular nonsedentary nonseditious nonsegregated nonsegregation nonselective non-Semitic nonsensitive nonsensitized nonsensory nonsensuous nonserious nonservile nonsexual non-Shakespearean nonsharing nonshattering nonshrinkable nonshrinking nonsignificant nonsinkable nonslaveholding non-Slavic nonsmoker nonsmoking nonsocialist nonsolid nonsolvent nonsovereign non-Spanish nonsparing nonspeaking nonspecialist nonspecialized nonspecializing nonspecific nonspectral nonspeculative nonspherical nonspiritual nonspirituous nonspottable nonstaining nonstandardized nonstarting nonstatic nonstationary nonstatistical nonstatutory nonsticking nonstrategic nonstretchable nonstriker nonstriking nonstructural nonsubmissive nonsubscriber nonsuccessful nonsuccessive nonsupporting nonsuppurative nonsurgical nonsustaining nonsymbolic nonsymmetrical nonsympathizer nonsymphonic nonsymptomatic nonsynchronous nonsyntactic nonsynthesized nonsystematic nontarnishable nontaxable nonteachable nontechnical nonterrestrial nonterritorial nontestamentary nontheatrical nontheistic nontheological nontherapeutic nonthinking nontoxic nontraditional nontragic nontransferable nontransitional nontransparent nontreasonable nontributary nontropical nontuberculous nontypical nontyrannical nonulcerous nonunderstandable nonuniform nonuniversal nonusable nonuse nonuser nonuterine nonutilitarian nonutilized nonvascular nonvegetative nonvenereal nonvenomous nonvenous nonverbal nonvernacular nonvertical nonvesicular nonviable nonvibratory nonvicarious nonviolation nonvirulent nonviscous nonvisual nonvitreous nonvocal nonvocational nonvolatile nonvolcanic nonvoluntary nonvoting nonwhite nonworker nonwoven nonyielding [< L non, not < OL noenum < ne-, negative particle (see NO¹) + oinom, ONE]
non compos mentis (nän´ käm pous men´tis, -pэs) Law not of sound mind; mentally incapable of handling one's own affairs Often non compos [L]
non obstante (nän äb stæn´ti:) notwithstanding; despite (a law, ruling, etc.) [L < non, not + obstans (gen. obstantis), prp. of obstare: see OBSTACLE: from use in medieval legal clauses permitting to the king certain actions notwithstanding statutes to the contrary]
non placet (nän plei´set') it does not please: used in casting a negative vote [L]
non prosequitur (nän' prou sek´wi: tэr) Law a judgment entered against a plaintiff who fails to appear at the court proceedings or fails to do any other thing procedurally necessary Abbrev. non pros. [L, lit., he does not prosecute]
non sequitur (nän' sek´wi tэr) 1 Logic a conclusion or inference which does not follow from the premises: abbrev. non seq. 2 a remark having no bearing on what has just been said [L, lit., it does not follow]
non troppo (nän trou´pou) Musical Direction not too much; moderately (Ex.: adagio ma non troppo, slowly, but not too much so) [It]
nona- (nou´nэ, nän´э) combining form nine
nonage (nän´ij, noun´ij; -eij') •n. 1 Law a) the state of being under the lawful age for doing certain things, as marrying b) MINORITY (n. 4) 2 the period of immaturity [ME < Anglo-Fr nounage < OFr nonage: see NON- & AGE]
nonagenarian (nän'э jэ ner´i: эn, noun'э-) •adj. 90 years old, or between the ages of 90 and 100 •n. a person of this age [L nonagenarius < nonageni, ninety each < nonaginta, ninety < base of noven, NINE + -ginta, -TY²]
nonaggression pact (nän'э gresh´эn) an agreement between two nations not to attack each other, usually for a specified period of years
nonagon (nän´э gän') •n. a plane figure having nine angles and nine sides [< L nonus, ninth (see NOON) + -GON]
nonaligned (nän'э laind´) •adj. Æ not aligned with either side in a conflict of power, especially power politics non'a·lign´ment •n.
nonappearance (-э pir´эns) •n. a failure to appear, esp. in court
nonbeing (nän´bi:´iŋ) •n. NONEXISTENCE
non-book (-buk') •n. a book of little intrinsic worth, published merely to exploit some current vogue or consumer demand
nonce (näns) •n. the present use, occasion, or time; time being: chiefly in for the nonce [ME (for the) nones, formed by syllabic merging < (for then) ones, lit., the once: then is the dat. sing. of the def. art.]
nonce word a word coined and used for a single or particular occasion, or time being
noncellulosic (nän'sel'yu: lous´ik) •adj. designating synthetic fibers made from materials other than plant derivatives
nonchalance (nän'shэ läns´; nän´shэ läns', -lэns) •n. the state or quality of being nonchalant SYN. EQUANIMITY
nonchalant (nän'shэ länt´; nän´shэ länt', -lэnt) •adj. 1 without warmth or enthusiasm; not showing interest 2 showing cool lack of concern; casually indifferent SYN. COOL non'cha·lant´ly •adv. [Fr < non (L non), not + chaloir, to care for < L calere, to be warm or ardent: see CALORIE]
noncom (nän´käm') •n. [Colloq.] short for NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER
noncombatant (nän'käm´bэ tэnt) •n. 1 a member of the armed forces whose activities do not include actual combat, as a chaplain 2 any civilian in wartime •adj. 1 not involving combat 2 of noncombatants
noncommissioned officer (nän'kэ mish´эnd) an enlisted person of any of various grades in the armed forces, as, in the U.S. Army, from corporal to sergeant major inclusive: see also PETTY OFFICER
noncommittal (-kэ mitªl) •adj. 1 not committing one to any point of view or course of action; not revealing one's position or purpose 2 having no definite quality, meaning, etc. non'com·mit´tal·ly •adv.
noncompliance (-kэm plai´эns) •n. failure to comply; refusal to yield, agree, etc. non'com·pli´ant •adj.
nonconductor (nän'ken dûk´tэr) •n. a substance that does not readily transmit certain forms of energy, as sound, heat, and, esp., electricity
nonconformist (-kэn förm´ist) •n. 1 a person who does not act in conformity with generally accepted beliefs and practices 2 [N-] a British Protestant who does not belong to the Anglican Church; Dissenter •adj. not following established customs, beliefs, etc. non'con·form´ism' •n.
nonconformity (-kэn förm´э ti:) •n. 1 failure or refusal to act in conformity with generally accepted beliefs and practices 2 [N-] refusal to accept the doctrines or follow the practices of the Anglican Church 3 lack of agreement or harmony
noncooperation (-kou äp'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 failure to work together or in unison with a person, group, or organization 2 refusal to cooperate with a government through various acts of civil disobedience, as by nonpayment of taxes: used as a form of protest, as by Mohandas Gandhi against the former British government in India non'co·op'er·a´tion·ist •n. non'co·op´er·a·tive •adj. non'co·op´er·a'tor •n.
nondairy (nän´der´i:) •adj. containing no milk or milk products {a nondairy cream substitute}
nondenominated (nän'di näm´i nei´tid) •adj. designating or of a postage stamp that has no denomination printed on it
nondenominational (nän'di näm'i nei´shэn ªl) •adj. not affiliated with any religious denomination
nondescript (nän´di skript', nän'di skript´) •adj. 1 so lacking in recognizable character or qualities as to belong to no definite class or type; hard to classify or describe 2 not interesting; colorless; drab •n. a nondescript person or thing [< L non, not + descriptus, pp. of describere, DESCRIBE]
nondisjunction (nän'dis jûŋk´shэn) •n. Biol. the failure of paired chromosomes to pass to separate cells in meiosis
nondurable (-dur´э bэl, -dyur´-) •adj. not durable
nondurable goods goods that remain usable for, or must be replaced within, a relatively short period of time, as food, apparel, or fabrics
none¹ (nûn) pron. 1 a) not one {none of the books is worth reading} b) no one; not anyone {none but Jack can do it} 2 [with pl. v.] no persons or things; not any {there are none on the table} •n. not any (of); no part; nothing {I want none of it} •adv. in no way; not at all {none the worse for wear} •adj. [Archaic] not any: used before a vowel {of none effect} [ME < OE nan < ne, not (see NO¹) + an, ONE]
none² (noun) •n. [often N-] the fifth of the canonical hours; midafternoon prayer [OE non: see NOON]
nonego (nän'i:´gou) pl. -gos •n. 1 Philos. anything or everything that is not the ego 2 the external world
nonentity (-en´tэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of not existing 2 something that exists only in the mind or imagination 3 a person or thing of little or no importance
nones (nounz) •n.pl. [with sing. or pl. v.] 1 [sometimes N-] in the ancient Roman calendar, the ninth day before the ides of a month 2 NONE² [ME < L nonae < nonus, ninth: see NOON]
nonessential (nän'e sen´shэl) •adj. 1 not essential; of relatively no importance; unnecessary 2 Biochem. designating biological compounds, esp. amino acids, required by living systems, that can be made in adequate amounts from other dietary constituents •n. a nonessential person or thing
nonesuch (nûn´sûch') •n. 1 a person or thing unrivaled or unequaled; something or someone unique; nonpareil 2 BLACK MEDIC
nonet (nou net´) •n. Music 1 a composition for nine instruments 2 the nine performers of this [It nonetto < nono, ninth (L nonus) + (du)etto, duet]
nonetheless (nûn'ðэ les´) •adv. in spite of that; nevertheless Also none the less
non-Euclidean (nän'yu: klid´i: эn) •adj. designating or of a geometry that rejects any of the postulates of Euclidean geometry, esp. the postulate that through a given point only one line can be drawn parallel to another line that does not contain the given point
nonevent (nän´i: vent', nän´i-) •n. [Colloq.] an event or occurrence that is boring, does not fulfill expectations, or is deliberately staged, as for publicity Also non´-e·vent'
nonexistence (-eg zis´tэns) •n. 1 the condition of not existing 2 something that does not exist non'ex·ist´ent •adj., n.
nonfeasance (nän'fi:´zэns) •n. Law failure to do what duty requires to be done: distinguished from MALFEASANCE, MISFEASANCE
nonfeeding (nän´fi:d´iŋ) •adj. not feeding: said of an animal, insect, etc. in a dormant stage
nonferrous (-fer´эs) •adj. 1 not made of or containing iron 2 designating or of metals other than iron
nonfood (nän´fu:d') •adj. 1 designating or of items sold in grocery stores that are not food, such as paper products, magazines, etc. 2 designating or of all commodities other than food, as in calculating statistical economic data
nonillion (nou nil´yэn) •n. Æ 1 the number represented by 1 followed by 30 zeros 2 [Brit.] the number represented by 1 followed by 54 zeros •adj. amounting to one nonillion in number [Fr < L nonus, ninth (see NOON) + Fr (m)illion]
noninductive (nän'in dûk´tiv) •adj. Elec. not inductive {a noninductive resistance}
nonintervention (-in'tэr ven´shэn) •n. the state or fact of not intervening; esp., a refraining by one nation from interference in the affairs of another non'in·ter·ven´tion·ist •adj., n.
noninvasive (nän'in vei´siv) •adj. Med. 1 not entering the skin or a body cavity: said of therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, as ultrasound 2 not spreading to surrounding or to other tissue: said of certain tumors
nonjoinder (nän'join´dэr) •n. Law failure to include some person in a suit, when such person should have been included either as a plaintiff or defendant
nonjudgmental (nän'jûj ment´ªl) •adj. not expressing an opinion regarding a person or thing; without bias; objective
nonjuror (-jur´эr) •n. 1 a person who refuses to take an oath, as one of allegiance 2 [N-] any of the clergymen of the Church of England who refused to take such an oath at the accession of William and Mary in 1689 non·ju´ring •adj.
nonmetal (-met´ªl) •n. any of those elements lacking the characteristics of a metal; specif., any of the electronegative elements (e.g., oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, fluorine, phosphorus, sulfur) whose oxides form acids and stable compounds with hydrogen non'me·tal´lic •adj.
nonmoral (nän mör´эl) •adj. not connected in any way with morality or ethical concepts; not moral and not immoral
nonnuclear (nän'nu:´kli: эr) •adj. not nuclear; specif., not characterized by the use of, or operated by, nuclear energy
no-no (nou´nou') pl. -nos' •n. [Slang] something that is forbidden or considered unwise to do, say, use, etc. [< No! No!, as said in admonishing a young child]
nonobjective (nän'эb jek´tiv) •adj. not objective; designating or of art that does not attempt to represent in recognizable form any object or scene in nature; abstract; nonrepresentational non'ob·jec´tiv·ism' •n. non'ob·jec´tiv·ist •n.
no-nonsense (nou´nän´sens) •adj. not indulging in or tolerating nonsense, impracticality, etc.; matter-of-fact; practical and serious
nonpareil (nän'pэ rel´) •adj. unequaled; unrivaled; peerless •n. 1 someone or something unequaled or unrivaled Æ 2 PAINTED BUNTING 3 a) variously colored tiny pellets of sugar, used to decorate cakes, cookies, etc. b) a small, rounded wafer of chocolate covered with such pellets [Fr < non, not + pareil, equal < VL *pariculus, dim. of L par, equal, PAR]
nonparticipating (nän'pär tis´э peit'iŋ) •adj. 1 not participating 2 Insurance not entitled to participate in the dividends from the profits or surplus of the company non'par·tic'i·pa´tion •n.
nonpartisan (nän'pärt´э zэn) •adj. 1 not partisan; esp., not controlled or influenced by, or supporting, any single political party 2 designating or having to do with an election in which candidates are not officially identified by party non'par´ti·san·ship' •n.
nonperson (nän´pør'sэn) •n. UNPERSON; specif., one who is officially ignored by the government
nonplus (nän'plüs´, nän´plûs') •n. a condition of perplexity in which one is unable to go, speak, or act further •vt. -plused´ or -plussed´, -plus´ing or -plus´sing to put in a nonplus; bewilder SYN. PUZZLE non·plused´ or non·plussed´ •adj. [L non, not + plus, more: see PLUS]
nonprescription (nän'pri: skrip´shэn, -pri-) •adj. available without a prescription: said of a drug
nonproductive (nän'prou dûk´tiv) •adj. not productive; specif., a) not resulting in the production of the goods sought or the realization of the effects expected {a nonproductive plan} b) not directly related to the production of goods, as clerks, salesmen, etc. non'pro·duc´tive·ness •n.
nonprofit (nän'präf´it) •adj. not intending or intended to earn a profit {a nonprofit organization}
nonproliferation (nän'prou lif'er ei´shэn) •n. a not proliferating; specif., the limitation of the production of nuclear weapons, as by international agreement
non-pros (nän´präs´) -prossed´, -pros´sing •vt. to enter a judgment of non prosequitur against (a plaintiff or the plaintiff's suit)
nonrated (nän'reit´id) •adj. 1 not rated 2 U.S. Navy designating an enlisted person who is not a petty officer
nonrepresentational (nän'rep ri: zэn tei´shэ nэl) •adj. NONOBJECTIVE non'rep·re·sen·ta´tion·al·ism' •n.
nonresident (nän'rez´э dэnt) •adj. not residing in a specified place; esp., having one's home in some locality other than where one works, attends school, etc. •n. 1 one whose permanent home is not where one is staying 2 one who lives away from the locality of one's business, school, etc. non·res´i·dence or non·res´i·den·cy •n. non'res·i·den´tial •adj.
nonresistant (nän'ri zis´tэnt) •adj. not resistant; esp., submitting to force or arbitrary authority •n. 1 a person who believes that force and violence should not be used to oppose arbitrary authority, however unjust 2 a person who refuses to use force even in self-defense non're·sist´ance •n.
nonrestraint (-ri streint´) •n. 1 the absence of restraint 2 Psychiatry the management of psychotic persons without the use of a straitjacket or other physical restraint
nonrestrictive (-ri strik´tiv) •adj. 1 not restrictive 2 Gram. designating a modifier, as a word, phrase, or subordinate clause, that does not limit the reference of the word or phrase it modifies but merely adds information and thus is not essential to the meaning of a sentence: it is set off by punctuation marks {who is six feet tall in John, who is six feet tall, is younger than Bill is a nonrestrictive clause}: cf. RESTRICTIVE
nonscheduled (nän'skej´uld) •adj. designating or of an airline, plane, etc. licensed for commercial flights as warranted by demand rather than on a regular schedule
nonsectarian (nän'sek ter´i: эn) •adj. not sectarian; not confined to or affiliated with any specific religion
nonsense (nän´sens', nän´sэns) •n. 1 words or actions that convey an absurd meaning or no meaning at all 2 things of relatively no importance or value; trivialities 3 impudent, foolish, or evasive behavior •adj. 1 designating or of syllables or words constructed of sounds or symbols arranged arbitrarily so as to have no meaning 2 of or designating verse, poetry, or other literary composition consisting of words or syllables that convey an absurd meaning or no meaning at all •interj. how foolish! how absurd!: an exclamation of impatience, contradiction, contempt, etc. [NON- + SENSE]
nonsensical (nän sen´si kэl) •adj. unintelligible, foolish, silly, absurd, etc. non·sen´si·cal·ly •adv. non·sen´si·cal·ness or non·sen'si·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) •n.
non-sked (nän'sked´) •adj. [Colloq.] NONSCHEDULED •n. [Colloq.] a nonscheduled airline, plane, etc.
nonskid (nän´skid´) •adj. having a surface so constructed as to reduce slipping or skidding: said of a tire, flooring, etc.
nonsocial (nän'sou´shэl) •adj. not social SYN. UNSOCIAL
nonstandard (-stæn´dэrd) •adj. not standard; specif., designating or of usages, locutions, grammatical constructions, pronunciations, etc., that do not fall into the category of standard speech Cf. SUBSTANDARD
non-starter (nän´stärt´эr) •n. [Slang] 1 an expected occurrence, project, etc. that fails to materialize 2 a worthless idea
nonstick (nän stik´) •adj. designating or of cookware or kitchen appliances to which foods will not stick
nonstop (nän´stäp´) •adj., adv. without a stop
nonstriated muscle (nän´strai'eit'id) SMOOTH MUSCLE
nonsuch (nûn´sûch') •n. NONESUCH
nonsuit (nän´su:t´) •n. Law 1 a judgment against a plaintiff for failing to proceed to trial, to establish a valid case, or to produce adequate evidence 2 the ending of a lawsuit by the voluntary withdrawal of the plaintiff •vt. to bring a nonsuit against (a plaintiff or his case) [ME noun suyt < Anglo-Fr nonsute: see NON- & SUIT]
nonsupport (nän'sэ pört´) •n. failure to provide for a spouse, child, or other legal dependent
nonsyllabic (nän'si læb´ik) •adj. not forming a syllable or the nucleus of a syllable; not syllabic
non-U (nän´yu´) •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] not belonging to or characteristic of the upper class
nonunion (nän´yu:n´yэn) •n. failure to mend or unite: said of a broken bone •adj. 1 not belonging to a labor union 2 not made or serviced by union workers or under conditions required by a labor union 3 refusing to recognize, or sign a contract with, a labor union non´un´ion·ism' •n. non´un´ion·ist •n.
nonviolence (-vai´э lэns) •n. an abstaining from violence or from the use of physical force, as in efforts to obtain civil rights or in opposing government policy: see also CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, PASSIVE RESISTANCE non´vi´o·lent •adj.
nonyl (nän´il) •n. a monovalent alkyl radical C9H19; esp., the normal radical CH3(CH2)7CH2 [non(ane), a paraffin hydrocarbon from which it is derived + -YL]
nonzero (nän´zir´ou) •adj. designating a quantity, etc. other than zero: used in physics, mathematics, etc.
noodge (nuj) noodged, noodg´ing •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to keep urging, asking, etc. in an annoying way; nag [< Yidd nudyen, to be tedious, bore < Russ nudnii, tedious]
noodle¹ (nu:d´ªl) •n. 1 a simpleton; fool 2 [Slang] the head [prob. < NODDLE]
noodle² (nu:d´ªl) •n. a flat, narrow strip of dry dough, usually made with egg and served in soup, baked in casseroles, etc. [Ger nudel]
noodle³ (nu:d´ªl) -dled, -dling •vi. [Colloq.] 1 to play idly or improvise on a musical instrument 2 to explore an idea [prob. < NOODLE¹, sense 2] [prob. echoic var. of DOODLE; for sense 2, ? < NOODLE¹, sense 2]
nook (nuk) •n. 1 a corner, esp. of a room 2 a small recess or secluded spot; retreat [ME (chiefly Northern) nok, akin to Norw nakke, a hook, ON hnekkja, to hem in, drive back, OE hnecca, the NECK]
nooky (nuk´i:) •n. [Vulgar Slang] sexual intercourse
noon (nu:n) •n. 1 twelve o'clock in the daytime; midday 2 the highest point or culmination; time of greatest power, etc. 3 [Rare] midnight: now only in noon of night •adj. of or occurring at noon (midday) [ME < OE non, orig., the ninth hour (by the Roman method, reckoning from sunrise: i.e., 3 p.m.) < L nona (hora), ninth (hour) < novem, NINE]
noonday (-dei') •n., adj. noon (midday)
nooning (nu:n´iŋ) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] 1 noon (midday) Æ 2 a stop at midday for rest or food 3 a meal or refreshment at noon
noontime (nu:n´taim') •n., adj. noon (midday) Also noon´tide'
Noordbrabant (nôřt'břä bänt´) Du. name of NORTH BRABANT
Noordholland (-hô´länt') Du. name of NORTH HOLLAND
noose (nu:s) •n. 1 a loop formed in a rope, cord, etc. by means of a slipknot so that the loop tightens as the rope is pulled 2 anything that restricts one's freedom; tie, bond, snare, trap, etc. •vt. noosed, noos´ing 1 to catch or hold in a noose; trap, ensnare, etc. 2 to form a noose in or of (a rope, cord, etc.) the noose death by hanging [ME nose, prob. via Prov nous < L nodus, knot, NODE]
Nootka (nut´kэ, nu:t´-) •n. 1 pl. -kas or -ka a member of a North American Indian people who live chiefly on Vancouver Island 2 the Wakashan language of this people
nopal (nou´pэl, nou päl´) •n. any of a genus (Nopalea) of cactuses with red flowers, esp. a tropical prickly pear (N. cochinellifera) [Sp < Nahuatl noرpalli, prickly pear cactus]
no-par (nou´pär´) •adj. having no stated par value {a no-par stock certificate}
nope (noup) •adv. [Slang] no: a negative reply
Nor 1 Norman 2 North 3 Norway 4 Norwegian
nor- (nör) Chem. combining form 1 normal 2 a) a compound lacking a particular radical, often methyl, when compared to another compound {norepinephrine vs. epinephrine} b) the straight-chain isomer {norleucine} [< NOR(MAL)]
nor' or nor (nör) north: used especially in compounds {nor'western}
nor¹ (nör; unstressed nэr) conj. and not; and not either Usually as the second of the correlatives neither . . . nor, implying negation of both parts of the statement [I can neither go nor stay]: also used after some other negative, as not, no, never [he doesn't smoke, nor does he drink], or poetically as the first in a pair or series of negative correlative [nor flood nor fire], or to introduce a reinforcing negative after an affirmative statement [he works from dawn to dusk, nor does he pause for rest] [ME < ne-, not, NO¹ + or: see OR¹]
nor² (nör) conj. [Dial.] than [Northern ME]
Nora (nör´э) a feminine name: see ELEANOR, LEONORA [Ir, contr. of Honora, Eleanor, Leonora]
NORAD (nör´æd') •n. North American Air Defense (Command)
noradrenaline (nör'э dren´эl in) •n. NOREPINEPHRINE [see NOR-]
Nordau (nör´dau'), Max Simon (born Max Simon Südfeld) 1849-1923; Ger. writer, physician, & Zionist leader, born in Hungary
Nordenskjöld (nuř´dэn shüld'), Baron Nils A·dolf E·rik (nils ä´dôlf ei´řik) 1832-1901; Swed. arctic explorer, born in Finland Nordenskjöld (nuř´dэn shüld') old name of LAPTEV SEA
Nordic (nör´dik) •adj. 1 designating or of a physical type of the Caucasoid peoples exemplified by the long-headed, tall, blond people of Scandinavia: see also ALPINE, MEDITERRANEAN 2 [sometimes n-] designating or having to do with cross-country skiing or ski jumping: cf. ALPINE [ModL Nordicus < Fr nordique < nord, north < OE north, NORTH]
Nordkyn (nôř´kün'), Cape cape in NE Norway: northernmost point of the European mainland
Nord-Pas-de-Calais (nôř pät kä le´) metropolitan region of NE France: 4,793 sq. mi. (12,414 sq. km); pop. 3,932,000; chief city, Lille
norepinephrine (nör´ep'э nef´rin, -ri:n') •n. a hormone or neurotransmitter, C8H11NO3, related to epinephrine, that is used medically to constrict blood vessels and to stop bleeding: it is secreted by the adrenal medulla or liberated at nerve endings to help transmit nerve impulses [see NOR-]
Norfolk (nör´fэk) 1 seaport in SE Va., on Hampton Roads & Chesapeake Bay: pop. 261,000 (met. area incl. Newport News & Virginia Beach, 1,396,000) [after the county in England] 2 county of E England, on the North Sea: 2,068 sq. mi. (5,356 sq. km); pop. 644,000; county seat, Norwich [OE Northfolc: see NORTH & FOLK]
Norfolk Island Australian island in the SW Pacific, east of New South Wales: 13 sq. mi. (36 sq. km); pop. c. 1,700
Norfolk Island pine an evergreen tree (Araucaria excelsa) of the araucaria family, with small needles and branches, commonly grown as a pot plant or outdoors in warm climates
Norfolk jacket (or coat) a loosefitting, single-breasted, belted jacket with a pocket on each side and box pleats in front and back
Norfolk terrier any of a breed of short-legged terrier with a hard, wiry coat and ears that droop forward [after Norfolk, England, where developed]
Norge (nôř´gэ) Norw. name of NORWAY
noria (nör´i: э) •n. a water wheel with buckets at its circumference, used in Spain and the Orient to raise and discharge water [Sp < Ar nāūra < Syriac nāōr < nĕar, (he) poured out]
Noricum (nou´ri: kum', nör´i kэm) ancient Roman province south of the Danube, in the region of modern Austria
norm (nörm) •n. a standard, model, or pattern for a group; esp., a) such a standard of achievement as represented by the median or average achievement of a large group b) a standard of conduct that should or must be followed c) a way of behaving typical of a certain group SYN. AVERAGE [L norma, carpenter's square, rule, prob. via Etr < Gr gnōmōn, carpenter's square, lit., one that knows: see GNOMON]
Norma (nör´mэ) 1 a feminine name [< ? L norma: see NORM] 2 a S constellation in the Milky Way between Lupus and Ara [L: see NORM]
normal (nör´mэl) •adj. 1 conforming with or constituting an accepted standard, model, or pattern; esp., corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development, etc.; natural; usual; standard; regular 2 Biol. occurring naturally {normal immunity} 3 Chem. a) designating or of a salt formed by replacing all the replaceable hydrogen of an acid with a metal or metals b) designating or of a solution which contains an amount of the dissolved substance chemically equivalent to one gram atom of hydrogen per liter of solution c) designating or of a fatty hydrocarbon, the chain of which is continuous rather than branched, in which no carbon atom is united directly to more than two others 4 Math. perpendicular; at right angles 5 Med., Psychol. a) free from disease, disorder, or malformation; specif., average in intelligence or development b) mentally sound •n. 1 anything normal 2 the usual state, amount, degree, etc.; esp., the median or average 3 Math. a perpendicular; esp., a perpendicular to a line tangent to a curve, at its point of tangency nor´mal·cy (-si:) or nor·mal´i·ty (-mæl´э ti:) •n. SYN.—normal implies conformity with the established norm or standard for its kind [normal intelligence]; regular implies conformity with the prescribed rule or accepted pattern for its kind [the regular working day]; typical applies to that which has the representative characteristics of its type or class [a typical Southern town]; natural implies behavior, operation, etc. that conforms with the nature or innate character of the person or thing [a natural comedian]; usual applies to that which conforms to the common or ordinary use or occurrence [the usual price]; average, in this connection, implies conformity with what is regarded as normal or ordinary [the average man] —ANT. abnormal, unusual [L normalis < norma, a rule: see NORM]
normal (frequency) curve GAUSSIAN CURVE
normal distribution Statistics a frequency distribution whose graphic representation is a bell-shaped curve symmetrical about the mean
normal school a school, usually with a two-year program, for training high-school graduates to be elementary schoolteachers [based on Fr école normale]
normalize (nör´mэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make normal; specif., a) to bring to the natural, or usual, state b) to bring into conformity with a standard, pattern, model, etc. •vi. to become normal nor'mal·i·za´tion •n. nor´mal·iz'er •n.
normally (nör´mэl i:) •adv. 1 in a normal manner 2 under normal circumstances; ordinarily
Norman (nör´mэn) •n. 1 any of the Scandinavians who occupied Normandy in the 10th cent. A.D. 2 a descendant of the Normans and French who conquered England in 1066 3 NORMAN FRENCH 4 a native or inhabitant of Normandy •adj. 1 of Normandy, the Normans, their language, or their culture 2 designating or of the Romanesque style of architecture as it flourished in Normandy and, after the Norman Conquest, as developed in England: characterized by massive construction, round arches over recessed doors and windows, and carving Nor'man·esque´ (-esk´) •adj. [OFr Normant or ML Normannus, both < Frank *nortman < *nort, akin to OE north, NORTH + *man, akin to MAN] Norman (nör´mэn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Norm 2 city in central Okla., near Oklahoma City: pop. 80,000 [ult. after A. Norman, railroad surveyor] [< OE Northman, OHG Nordemann, lit., Northman]
Norman Conquest the conquest of England by the Normans under William the Conqueror in 1066
Norman French 1 the French of the Normans or Normandy, as spoken in England by the Norman conquerors; Anglo-French: it was not imposed on the English as an official language at the Conquest, but gained legal and administrative currency after the accession of Eleanor of Aquitaine as queen (1152) 2 the form of this language used as the legal jargon of England until the late 17th cent. 3 the modern French dialect of Normandy Nor´man-French´ •adj.
Normandy (nör´mэn di:) historical region in NW France, on the English Channel
Normanize (nör´mэn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi., vt. to make or become Norman in style, language, customs, law, etc.
normative (nör´mэ tiv) •adj. 1 of or establishing a norm, or standard 2 having to do with usage norms {normative grammar} norm´a·tive·ly •adv.
NormFr Norman French
Norn (nörn) •n. Norse Myth. any of the three goddesses, representing the past, present, and future, who determine the destiny of gods and mortals [ON norn < IE base *(s)ner-, *(s)nur-, to SNARL¹, mutter]
Norris (nör´is) 1 Frank (born Benjamin Franklin Norris, Jr.) 1870-1902; U.S. novelist 2 George William 1861-1944; U.S. senator (1913-43)
Norrish (nör´ish), Ronald George (Wreyford) 1897-1978; Eng. chemist
Norrköping (nôř´shö'piŋ) seaport in SE Sweden, on an inlet of the Baltic Sea: pop. 118,000
Norse (nörs) •adj. 1 Scandinavian; specif., medieval Scandinavian 2 West Scandinavian (Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faeroese) •n. 1 the Scandinavian group of languages 2 the West Scandinavian group of languages 3 NORWEGIAN See OLD NORSE, ICELANDIC the Norse the Scandinavians; specif., a) the medieval Scandinavians b) the West Scandinavians [prob. < Du Noorsch, a Norwegian, var. of Noordsch < noord, NORTH + -sch, -ISH]
Norseman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a member of any of the medieval Scandinavian peoples, specif., the Vikings
north (nörθ) •n. 1 the direction to the right of a person facing the sunset; direction of the North Pole from any other point on the earth's surface: the needle of a compass points to the magnetic north pole rather than to the geographic pole 2 the point on a compass at 0° or 360°, directly opposite south 3 a region or district in or toward this direction 4 [often N-] the northern part of the earth, esp. the arctic regions •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the north 2 from the north {a north wind} 3 [N-] designating the northern part of a continent, country, etc. {North Africa} •adv. in, toward, or from, the north; in a northerly direction the North Æ that part of the U.S. which is bounded on the south by Md., the Ohio River, and Mo.; specif., the States opposed to the Confederacy in the Civil War [ME < OE, akin to Du noord, Ger nord, ON northr < IE base *ner-, beneath, below > Gr nerteros, lower] North , Frederick 2d Earl of Guilford 1732-92; Eng. statesman: prime minister of Great Britain (1770-82): called Lord North
North America N continent in the Western Hemisphere: 9,366,000 sq. mi. (24,258,000 sq. km); pop. 366,628,000 North American
North Bay city in SE Ontario, Canada: pop. 50,000
North Bergen (norθ' bør´gэn) city in NE N.J.: pop. 48,000
North Borneo old name of SABAH
North Brabant province of the S Netherlands, between the Meuse River & the Belgian border: 1,913 sq. mi. (4,956 sq. km); pop. 2,112,000; cap. 's Hertogenbosch
north by east the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due north and north-northeast; 11°15' east of due north
north by west the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due north and north-northwest; 11°15' west of due north
North Canadian river flowing from NE N.Mex. east & southeast into the Canadian River in E Okla.: 760 mi. (1,223 km)
North Carolina Southern State of the SE U.S.: one of the 13 original States; 52,712 sq. mi. (136,523 sq. km); pop. 6,629,000; cap. Raleigh: abbrev. NC or N.C. North Carolinian [see CAROLINA¹]
North Cascades National Park national park in the N Cascade Range, N Wash.: 789 sq. mi. (2,044 sq. km)
North Channel strait between Northern Ireland & SW Scotland: c. 80 mi. (128 km) long
North Charleston city in E S.C., north of Charleston: pop. 70,000
North Dakota Middle Western State of the NC U.S.: admitted, 1889; 70,665 sq. mi. (183,022 sq. km); pop. 639,000; cap. Bismarck: abbrev. ND, N.D., or N Dak North Dakotan [see DAKOTA]
North Downs see DOWNS, the
North East Frontier Agency (or Tract) old name of ARUNACHAL PRADESH
North Holland province of the W Netherlands, on the North Sea: 1,029 sq. mi. (2,667 sq. km); pop. 2,311,000; cap. Haarlem
North Island N island of the two main islands of New Zealand: 44,297 sq. mi. (114,729 sq. km); pop. 2,439,000
North Las Vegas city in SE Nev.: pop. 48,000
North Little Rock city in central Ark., on the Arkansas River opposite Little Rock: pop. 62,000
North Miami city on the SE coast of Fla: suburb of Miami: pop. 43,000
North Platte river flowing from N Colo. north into Wyo. & then southeast through W Nebr., joining the South Platte to form the Platte: 618 mi. (994 km)
north pole 1 the place where the northern rotational axis intersects the surface of a planet, moon, etc. 2 the zenith of such a place; esp., the zenith (north celestial pole) of this place on the earth 3 that end of a straight magnet that points to the north when the magnet hangs free [N- P-] the place on the earth where its northern rotational axis intersects its surface In full North Terrestrial Pole: see LATITUDE, illus.
North Rhine-Westphalia (nörθ´ rain' west fei´li: э, -feil´yэ) state of W Germany: 13,151 sq. mi. (34,061 sq. km); pop. 16,775,000; cap. Düsseldorf
North Riding (nörθ' raid´iŋ) former division of Yorkshire county, England, now part of the county of North Yorkshire
North River lower course of the Hudson River, between New York City & NE N.J.
North Saskatchewan river flowing from SW Alberta east through Saskatchewan, joining the South Saskatchewan to form the Saskatchewan: 760 mi. (1,224 km)
North Sea arm of the Atlantic, between Great Britain & the N European mainland: c. 222,000 sq. mi. (574,978 sq. km)
North Star POLARIS
North York city in SE Ontario, Canada: part of metropolitan Toronto: pop. 556,000
North Yorkshire (yörk´shir, -shэr) county of N England: 3,211 sq. mi. (8,317 sq. km); pop. 691,000
Northampton (nörθ æmp´tэn, -hæmp´-; nör θæmp´-) 1 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 2 county seat of Northamptonshire: pop. 163,000
Northamptonshire (-shir', -shэr) county of central England: 914 sq. mi. (2,367 sq. km); pop. 540,000; county seat, Northampton
northbound (nörθ´baund') •adj. bound north; going northward
Northcliffe (nörθ´klif'), Viscount (Alfred Charles William Harmsworth) 1865-1922; Eng. newspaper publisher, born in Ireland
northeast (nörθ'i:st´; naut. nör'-) •n. 1 the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between north and east; 45° east of due north 2 a district or region in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the northeast 2 from the northeast {a northeast wind} •adv. in, toward, or from the northeast Æ the Northeast the northeastern part of the U.S., esp. New England, but sometimes including New York City
northeast by east the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between northeast and east-northeast; 11°15' east of northeast
northeast by north the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between northeast and north-northeast; 11°15' north of northeast
Northeast Passage water route from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the seas north of Europe & Asia
northeaster (nörθ'i:s´tэr; naut. nör'-) •n. a storm or strong wind from the northeast
northeasterly (-tэr li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the northeast 2 from the northeast, as a wind
northeastern (-tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the northeast 2 from the northeast {a northeastern wind} Æ 3 [N-] of or characteristic of the Northeast or New England North'east´ern·er •n.
northeastward (nörθ'i:st´wэrd; naut. nör'-) •adv., adj. toward the northeast •n. a northeastward direction, point, or region
northeastwardly (-wэrd li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the northeast 2 from the northeast {a northeastwardly wind}
northeastwards (-wэrdz) •adv. NORTHEASTWARD
norther (nör´ðэr) •n. a storm or strong wind from the north; esp., a cold wind in the area of or about the Gulf of Mexico or of the Southwestern plains
northerly (-li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the north 2 from the north, as a wind •n. pl. -lies a wind from the north
northern (nör´ðэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the north 2 from the north {a northern wind} Æ 3 [N-] of or characteristic of the North Æ 4 [N-] designating a dialect of American English spoken in New England, N.Y., N N.J. and Pa., the N counties of Ohio, Ind., Ill., Iowa, and S.Dak., and Mich., Wis., Minn., and N.Dak. [ME northerne < OE northerna]
Northern Cross the five brightest stars in Cygnus forming a cross: often used to mean Cygnus
Northern Crown the constellation Corona Borealis
Northern Hemisphere that half of the earth north of the equator
Northern Ireland division of the United Kingdom, in the NE part of the island of Ireland: 5,462 sq. mi. (14,147 sq. km); pop. 1,573,000; cap. Belfast
northern lights [also N- L-] AURORA BOREALIS
northern oriole see BALTIMORE ORIOLE
Northern Province province of Saudi Arabia; bordering on Jordan & Iraq: c. 183,000 sq. mi. (473,000 sq. km)
Northern Rhodesia old name of ZAMBIA
Northern Sporades group of islands in the NW Aegean, west of Thessaly & Evvoia
Northern Spy a yellowish-red winter apple
Northern Territory territory of N Australia, on the Arafura Sea: 519,770 sq. mi. (1,346,200 sq. km); pop. 137,000; cap. Darwin
northerner (nör´ðэrn эr) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the north Æ 2 [N-] a native or inhabitant of the northern part of the U.S.
northernmost (nör´ðэrn moust') •adj. farthest north
northing (nörθ´iŋ, nörth´-) •n. 1 Naut. the distance due north covered by a vessel traveling on any northerly course 2 a northerly direction
northland (nörθ´lænd', -lэnd) •n. [also, & for 3 always, N-] 1 the northern region of a country 2 land in the north 3 the Scandinavian Peninsula north´land'er •n.
Northman (nörθ´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. NORSEMAN [OE Northmanna: see NORTH & MAN]
north-northeast (nörθ´nörθ'i:st´; naut., nör´nör'-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due north and northeast; 22°30' east of due north •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind
north-northwest (-west´) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due north and northwest; 22°30' west of due north •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind
Northumberland (nörθ ûm´bэr lэnd, nör θûm´bэr-) northernmost county of England: 1,943 sq. mi. (5,033 sq. km); pop. 300,000; county seat, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Northumbria (nörθ ûm´bri: э, nör θûm´-) former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in Great Britain, south of the Firth of Forth
Northumbrian (-эn) •adj. 1 of Northumbria, its people, or their dialect 2 of Northumberland, its people, or their dialect •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Northumbria 2 the Old English dialect of Northumbria 3 a native or inhabitant of Northumberland 4 the modern English dialect of Northumberland
northward (nörθ´wэrd´; naut. nör´ðэrd) •adv., adj. toward the north •n. a northward direction, point, or region
northwardly (-li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the north 2 from the north {a northwardly wind}
northwards (-wэrdz) •adv. NORTHWARD
northwest (nörθ'west´; naut. nör'-) •n. 1 the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between north and west; 45° west of due north 2 a district or region in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the northwest 2 from the northwest {a northwest wind} •adv. in, toward, or from the northwest Æ the Northwest 1 NORTHWEST TERRITORY 2 the northwestern part of the U.S., esp. Wash., Oreg., and Ida. 3 the northwestern part of Canada
northwest by north the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between northwest and north-northwest; 11°15' north of northwest
northwest by west the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between northwest and west-northwest; 11°15' west of northwest
Northwest Passage water route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through the arctic islands of Canada
Northwest Territories division of N Canada, subdivided into five Regions (Baffin, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Keewatin, & Kitikmeot): 1,253,437 sq. mi. (3,246,389 sq. km): abbrev. NT or NWT or NWTer
Northwest Territory region north of the Ohio River, between Pa. & the Mississippi (established 1787): it now forms Ohio, Ind., Ill., Mich., Wis., & part of Minn.
northwester (nörθ'wes´tэr; naut. nör'-) •n. a storm or strong wind from the northwest
northwesterly (-tэr li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the northwest 2 from the northwest, as a wind
northwestern (-tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the northwest 2 from the northwest {a northwestern wind} Æ 3 [N-] of or characteristic of the Northwest North'west´ern·er •n.
northwestward (nörθ'west´wэrd; naut. nör'-) •adv., adj. toward the northwest •n. a northwestward direction, point, or region
northwestwardly (-wэrd li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the northwest 2 from the northwest {a northwestwardly wind}
northwestwards (-wэrdz) •adv. NORTHWESTWARD
Norw 1 Norway 2 Norwegian
Norwalk (nör´wök') 1 city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 94,000 [prob. contr. < North Walk, a trail from Anaheim Landing] 2 city in SW Conn., on Long Island Sound: pop. 78,000 [< AmInd < ?]
Norway (nör´wei') country in N Europe, occupying the W & N parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula: 125,064 sq. mi. (323,877 sq. km); pop. 4,165,000; cap. Oslo: Norw. name Norge [OE Norweg < ON Norvegr < northr, NORTH + vegr, way: for IE base see WAY]
Norway maple a European maple (Acer platanoides), commonly grown in the U.S. for shade
Norway pine RED PINE
Norway spruce a common, evergreen, ornamental spruce (Picea abies) with drooping branchlets, large, brown cones, and shiny, dark-green needles
Norwegian (nör wi:´jэn) •adj. of Norway, its people, their language, or culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Norway 2 either of two official forms of the North Germanic language of the Norwegians, one (Book Language) derived from Danish, or the other (New Norwegian) created c. 1850 from Norwegian dialects [< ML Norwegia, Norway < ON Norvegr + -AN]
Norwegian elkhound any of a breed of medium-sized dog with a short, compact body, a thick, gray coat, and a tail that curls over the back, orig. bred in Norway where it is used in hunting elk and other large game
Norwegian Sea part of the Atlantic between Norway & Iceland
Norwich (nör´ij, -ich) county seat of Norfolk, E England: known for its cathedral (founded 1096): pop. 119,000 [OE northwic: see NORTH & WICK²]
Norwich terrier (nör´ij, -ich, -wich) any of a breed of short-legged terrier identical with the Norfolk terrier except that the ears are erect
nose (nouz) •n. 1 the part of the human face between the mouth and the eyes, having two openings and cavities behind them for breathing and smelling 2 the part that corresponds to this in animals; snout, muzzle, etc. 3 the sense of smell 4 the overall smell of a wine; bouquet 5 the power of tracking or perceiving by or as if by scent {a nose for news} 6 anything resembling a nose in shape or position; projecting or foremost part, as a nozzle, spout, prow of a ship, front of an airplane, etc. 7 the nose regarded as a symbol of prying or meddling {to poke one's nose into another's affairs} 8 [Slang] a police spy or informer •vt. nosed, nos´ing 1 to discover or perceive by or as if by the sense of smell 2 to touch or rub with the nose 3 to push with the nose: with aside, open, etc. 4 to make or push (a way, etc.) with the front forward {the ship nosed its way into the harbor} •vi. 1 to smell; sniff 2 to pry inquisitively 3 to advance; move forward Æ by a nose 1 by the length of the animal's nose in horse racing, etc. 2 by a very small margin count noses to count the number of people present, voting, etc. cut off one's nose to spite one's face to injure one's own interests, in a fit of anger, resentment, etc. follow one's nose to go straight forward have one's nose out of joint to be irritated, annoyed, frustrated, etc. lead by the nose to dominate completely look down one's nose at [Colloq.] to be disdainful of nose out 1 to defeat by a very small margin 2 to discover, as by smelling nose over to turn over on its nose: said of an airplane moving on the ground on the nose [Slang] 1 that (a specified horse, etc.) will finish first in a race 2 precisely; exactly pay through the nose to pay an unreasonable price rub someone's nose in to keep reminding someone of something unpleasant, as a mistake made [from the practice, in housebreaking a pet, of rubbing its nose in its urine or feces] turn up one's nose at to sneer at; scorn under one's (very) nose in plain view [ME < OE nosu, akin to Ger nase, orig. a dual, meaning the two nostrils < IE base *nas-, nostril > Sans nāsā, the nose, lit., pair of nostrils, L nasus, nose & naris (pl. nares), nostril]
nose bag FEED BAG
nose cone the cone-shaped foremost part of a rocket or missile, usually housing the payload, instruments, etc. and made to withstand intense heat
nose dive 1 a swift, steep downward plunge of an airplane, with the nose toward the earth 2 any sudden, sharp drop, as in profits nose´-dive', -dived', -div'ing, •vi.
nose drops medication administered through the nose with a dropper
nose guard Football the defensive lineman whose position in a three-man or five-man line is directly opposite the offensive center Also nose tackle
nose job [Slang] a cosmetic alteration of a person's nose by plastic surgery
nose ring 1 a metal ring passed through the nose of an animal for leading it about 2 a ring of bone or metal worn in the nose as an ornament
noseband (nouz´bænd') •n. that part of a bridle or halter which passes over the animal's nose
nosebleed (-bli:d') •n. a bleeding from the nose; nasal hemorrhage; epistaxis
no-see-um (nou si:´эm) •n. BITING MIDGE [pseudo-AmInd term, altered < no see (th)em: in reference to its very small size]
nosegay (nouz´gei') •n. a bunch of flowers; small bouquet, esp. for carrying in the hand [NOSE + GAY (in obs. sense of bright object)]
nosepiece (-pi:s') •n. 1 that part of a helmet which covers and protects the nose 2 NOSEBAND 3 anything like a nose in form or position, as the lower end of a microscope 4 the bridge of a pair of eyeglasses
nosey (nou´zi:) nos´i·er, nos´i·est •adj. NOSY
nosh (näsh) •vt., vi. [Slang] to eat (a snack) •n. [Slang] a snack nosh´er •n. [< Yidd < Ger naschen, to nibble, taste, akin to nagen: see GNAW]
no-show (nou´shou´) •n. a person who makes a reservation, as for an airline flight, but fails to claim or cancel it
nosing (nou´ziŋ) •n. 1 the projecting edge of a step; that part of the tread which extends beyond the riser 2 a strip, as of metal, for protecting this edge from wear 3 any projection like a stair nosing [NOSE + -ING]
noso- (nous´ou, nous´э) combining form disease {nosology} Also, before a vowel, nos- [< Gr nosos, disease]
nosocomial (nous'э kou´mi: эl) •adj. of or beginning in a hospital or medical facility; esp., of a hospital-acquired disease or infection
nosography (nou säg´rэ fi:) •n. the systematic description of diseases [NOSO- + -GRAPHY]
nosology (nou säl´э ji:) •n. 1 classification of diseases 2 the branch of medicine dealing with this nos·o·log·ic (näs'ou läj´ik) or nos'o·log´i·cal •adj. nos'o·log´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL nosologia: see NOSO- & -LOGY]
nostalgia (näs tæl´jэ, nэs-, nös-; -ji: э) •n. 1 a longing to go back to one's home, home town, or homeland; homesickness 2 a longing for something far away or long ago or for former happy circumstances nos·tal´gic (-jik) •adj. nos·tal´gi·cal·ly •adv. [ModL: coined (1688) as a medical term by J. Hofer, Swiss scholar, to transl. Ger heimweh, homesickness < Gr nostos, a return (akin to neomai, I return: see NESTOR) + -ALGIA]
nostoc (näs´täk') •n. any of a genus (Nostoc) of blue-green algae, having twisted, coiled filaments embedded in a gelatinous material and forming spherical colonies [ModL, coined by PARACELSUS]
nostology (näs täl´э ji:) •n. early term for GERONTOLOGY nos'to·log´ic (-tэ läj´ik) •adj. [< Gr nostos, a return + -LOGY]
nostomania (näs'tou mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ) •n. Psychiatry excessive or abnormal nostalgia [ModL < Gr nostos, a return (see NOSTALGIA) + -MANIA]
Nostradamus (näs´trэ dei´mэs, nö'strэ dä´-) (born Michel de Notredame) 1503-66; Fr. astrologer
nostril (näs´trэl) •n. 1 either of the external openings of the nose 2 the fleshy wall on either side of the nose {with flaring nostrils} [ME nosethirl < OE nosthyrl < nos, for nosu, the nose + thyrel, a hole < thurh, through: see NOSE & THROUGH]
nostrum (näs´trэm) •n. 1 a) a medicine prepared by the person selling it b) a patent medicine of a kind sold with exaggerated claims; quack medicine 2 a pet scheme for solving some social or political problem; panacea [L, neut. of noster, ours (< nos, we: see US): ? so called from the seller's calling it our remedy]
nosy (nou´zi:) nos´i·er, nos´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] given to prying; inquisitive nos´i·ly •adv. nos´i·ness •n. [NOS(E) + -Y³]
Nosy Parker (-pär´kэr) [also n- p-, n- P-] [Colloq.] a nosy person; busybody [prec. + proper name Parker: reason for use uncert.]
not (nät) •adv. in no manner; to no degree: a particle of negation, or word expressing the idea of no, often implying refusal, affirmation of the opposite, etc.: sometimes used elliptically {whether you like it or not} [ME not, unstressed form of noht, nought, naught: see NOUGHT]
not- (nout) combining form NOTO-: used before a vowel
nota bene (nou´tэ bi:´ni:, nou´tä bei´nei) note well [L]
notabilia (nout'э bil´i: э) •n.pl. things worthy of notice [L, neut. pl. of notabilis: see NOTABLE]
notability (nout'э bil´э ti:) •n. 1 pl. -ties a person who is notable or prominent 2 the quality of being notable
notable (nout´э bэl; for adj. 2, also nät´-) •adj. 1 worthy of notice; remarkable; outstanding 2 [Archaic] industrious and capable, as in housekeeping •n. 1 a person of distinction; famous or well-known person 2 [N-] formerly in France, any of the persons of authority, rank, etc. summoned by the king as a deliberative assembly in emergencies no´ta·bly •adv. [OFr < L notabilis < notare, to mark, note < nota, a mark: see note]
notarial (nou ter´i: эl) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of a notary public 2 drawn up or executed by a notary public no·tar´i·al·ly •adv.
notarize (nout´э raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vt. to certify or attest (a document) as a notary public, esp. with a signature seal no'ta·ri·za´tion •n.
notary (nout´э ri:) pl. -ries •n. short for NOTARY PUBLIC [ME notarye < OFr notaire < L notarius < notare, to NOTE]
notary public pl. notaries public or notary publics an official authorized to certify or attest documents, take depositions and affidavits, etc.
notation (nou tei´shэn) •n. 1 the use of a system of signs or symbols to represent words, phrases, numbers, quantities, etc. 2 any such system of signs or symbols, as in mathematics, chemistry, music, etc. 3 a brief note jotted down, as to remind one of something, explain something, etc. 4 the act of noting something in writing no·ta´tion·al •adj. [L notatio < notare, to NOTE]
notch (näch) •n. 1 a concave or V-shaped cut or indentation in an edge or across a surface Æ 2 a narrow pass with steep sides; defile; gap 3 [Colloq.] a step; grade; degree; peg {a notch below average} •vt. 1 to cut a notch or notches in; indent with notches 2 to record or tally, as by means of notches notch´er •n. [prob. < ME (a)n oche < OFr oche, osche, a notch < oschier, to notch]
notched (nächt) •adj. having a notch or indentation: used esp. of a collar in which the seam between the collar and lapel on each side forms a notch
note (nout) •n. 1 a mark of some quality, condition, or fact; distinguishing or characteristic feature, mood, tone, etc. {a note of sadness} 2 importance, distinction, or eminence {a person of note} 3 a) a brief statement of a fact, experience, etc. written down for review, as an aid to memory, or to inform someone else; memorandum b) [pl.] a record of experiences, etc. {the notes of a journey} 4 a comment, explanation, or elucidation, as at the foot of a page; annotation 5 notice; heed; observation {worthy of note} 6 any of certain types of correspondence; specif., a) a short, informal letter b) a formal diplomatic or other official communication 7 a) a written promise to pay a sum of money or a written acknowledgment of a debt from which a promise of payment can be inferred b) a piece of paper currency {a Federal Reserve note} 8 a cry or call, as of a bird 9 a signal or intimation {a note of admonition} 10 [Archaic] a melody, tune, or song 11 Music a) a tone of definite pitch, as made by a voice or musical instrument b) a symbol for a tone, indicating the duration by its form and the pitch by its position on the staff c) a key of a piano or the like •vt. not´ed, not´ing [ME noten < OFr noter < L notare < nota] 1 to pay close attention to; heed; notice; observe 2 to set down in writing; make a note of 3 to mention particularly 4 to denote or indicate 5 to set down in musical notes compare notes to exchange views; discuss strike the right note to say, write, or do what is specially apt or pleasing take notes to write down notes, as during a lecture or interview, for later reference [OFr < L nota, a mark, sign, character, letter < notus, pp. of noscere, to know < gnoscere, to KNOW]
note of hand PROMISSORY NOTE
note paper paper for writing notes, or letters
notebook (nout´buk') •n. a book in which notes, or memorandums, are kept
notecase (-keis') •n. [Brit.] BILLFOLD
noted (nout´id) •adj. distinguished; well-known; renowned; eminent SYN. FAMOUS not´ed·ly •adv. not´ed·ness •n.
noteless (nout´lis) •adj. 1 not noted; unnoticed 2 unmusical
noteworthy (-wør'ði:) •adj. worthy of note; deserving notice; outstanding; remarkable; notable note´wor'thi·ly •adv. note´wor'thi·ness •n.
not-for-profit (nät'fэr präf´it) •adj. NONPROFIT
nother (nûθ´эr) •adj. [Slang] different; not the same
nothing (nûθ´iŋ) •n. 1 a) no thing; not anything; naught b) no part, element, trace, etc. {nothing of kindness in him} 2 a) nonexistence; nothingness b) insignificance; unimportance 3 a thing that does not exist 4 a) something of little or no value, seriousness, importance, etc.; triviality or trifle (see also SWEET NOTHINGS) b) a person considered of no value or importance 5 a naught; zero; cipher •adv. not at all; in no manner or degree {nothing daunted} for nothing 1 free; at no cost 2 in vain; uselessly 3 without reason Æ in nothing flat [Colloq.] in almost no time at all make nothing of 1 to treat as of little importance 2 to fail to understand nothing but only; nothing other than nothing doing [Colloq.] 1 no: used as a refusal of a request 2 no result, accomplishment, etc.: an exclamation of disappointment nothing less than no less than; just the same as: also nothing short of [ME < OE na thing, nan thing]
nothingness (-nis) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being nothing or not existing; nonexistence or extinction 2 lack of value, worth, meaning, etc.; uselessness, emptiness, insignificance, etc. 3 unconsciousness or death 4 anything that is nonexistent, worthless, insignificant, useless, etc.
notice (nout´is) •n. 1 information, announcement, or warning; esp., formal announcement or warning, as in a newspaper {a legal notice} 2 a brief mention or critical review of a work of art, book, play, etc. 3 a written or printed sign giving some public information, warning, or rule 4 a) the act of observing; attention; regard; heed; cognizance b) courteous attention; civility 5 a formal announcement or warning of intention to end an agreement, relation, or contract at a certain time {to give a tenant notice} •vt. -ticed, -tic·ing 1 a) to mention; refer to; comment on b) to review briefly 2 a) to regard; observe; pay attention to b) to be courteous or responsive to SYN. DISCERN serve notice to give formal warning or information, as of intentions; announce take notice to become aware; pay attention; observe [LME < MFr < L notitia < notus: see NOTE]
noticeable (nout´is э bэl) •adj. 1 readily noticed; conspicuous 2 worth noticing; significant no´tice·a·bly •adv. SYN.—noticeable is applied to that which must inevitably be noticed [a noticeable coolness in his manner]; remarkable applies to that which is noticeable because it is unusual or exceptional [remarkable beauty]; prominent refers to that which literally or figuratively stands out from its background [a prominent nose, a prominent author]; an outstanding person or thing is remarkable as compared with others of its kind [an outstanding sculptor]; conspicuous applies to that which is so obvious or manifest as to be immediately perceptible [conspicuous gallantry]; striking is used of something so out of the ordinary that it leaves a sharp impression on the mind [a striking epigram]
notifiable (nout´э fai'э bэl) •adj. that must be reported to health authorities {notifiable diseases}
notification (nout'э fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 a notifying or being notified 2 the notice given or received 3 the letter, form, etc. used to convey such a notice [ME notificacioun < MFr notification]
notify (nout´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to give notice to; inform; announce to 2 [Chiefly Brit.] to give notice of; announce; make known no´ti·fi'er •n. SYN.—notify implies a sending of a formal notice imparting required or pertinent information [notify me when you are ready]; inform implies a making aware of something by giving knowledge of it [he informed me of your decision to join us]; acquaint suggests a making familiar with something hitherto unknown to one [she acquainted me with her problems]; apprise implies a notifying someone of something that has particular interest for him [I have apprised him of your arrival] [ME notifien < MFr notifier < L notificare < notus (see NOTE) + facere, to make, DO¹]
notion (nou´shэn) •n. 1 a) a mental image; general idea b) a vague thought 2 a belief; opinion; view 3 a desire; inclination; whim 4 a plan or intention Æ 5 [pl.] small, useful articles, as needles, thread, etc., sold in a store SYN. IDEA [Fr < L notio < notus: see NOTE]
notional (nou´shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of, expressing, or consisting of notions, or concepts 2 imaginary; not actual {to inhabit a notional world} Æ 3 having visionary ideas; given to whims; fanciful 4 Gram. having full lexical, as distinguished from relational, meaning {have is notional in we have a problem and relational in we have solved a problem} no´tion·al·ly •adv. [ML notionalis]
noto- (nout´ou, nout´э) combining form the back, dorsum {notochord} [ModL < Gr nōton, the back, akin to L nates, buttocks]
notochord (nout´э körd') •n. 1 an elongated, rod-shaped structure composed of cells, forming the primitive supporting axis of the body in the lowest chordates and lying between the digestive tract and the central nervous system 2 a similar structure in the embryonic stages of higher vertebrates, which later is surrounded and replaced by the vertebral column no'to·chord´al •adj. [prec. + CHORD¹]
Notogaea (nout'э ji:´э) •n. one of three primary zoogeographic areas of the earth, including Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Celebes, and nearby islands No'to·gae´an •adj. [ModL < Gr notos, south, south wind, rain-bringing wind < IE *(s)not- < base *(s)na-, to flow > NATANT]
notoriety (nout'э rai´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being notorious 2 pl. -ties [Chiefly Brit.] a prominent or well-known person [Fr notorieté < ML notorietas < notorius]
notorious (nou tör´i: эs) •adj. 1 well-known; publicly discussed 2 widely but unfavorably known or talked about SYN. FAMOUS no·to´ri·ous·ly •adv. no·to´ri·ous·ness •n. [ML notorius < LL notoria, news, information < notus: see NOTE]
notornis (nou tör´nis) •n. any of a rare genus (Notornis) of nonflying gallinulelike birds of New Zealand [ModL < Gr notos, the south (see NOTOGAEA) + ornis, bird]
notoungulate (nout'ou ûŋ´gyu: lit, -leit') •n. any of an extinct order (Notoungulata) of plant-eating mammals, once widespread in South America Also no·tun´gu·late (nou tûŋ´-) [< ModL Notoungulata: see NOTO- & UNGULATE]
Notre Dame (nou'trэ däm´, -deim´; nout'эr-; Fr nô třэ dåm´) a famous early Gothic cathedral in Paris, built 1163-1257 In full Notre Dame de Paris [Fr, lit., Our Lady (Mary, mother of Jesus)]
no-trump (nou´trûmp´) •adj. Bridge designating, of, or having to do with a bid to play with no suit as trump •n. a bid in bridge to play with no suit being trumps
Nottingham (nät´iŋ эm) 1 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 2 county seat of Nottinghamshire: pop. 271,000 [< OE Snotingaham < Snoting, people of Snot (< Snot, personal name < snotor, wise + -inga, patronymic suffix) + ham, HOME]
Nottinghamshire (-shir´) county of central England: 835 sq. mi. (2,164 sq. km); pop. 1,000,000: county seat, Nottingham [< OE Snotinghamscir: see NOTTINGHAM & SHIRE]
notum (nout´эm) pl. -ta (-э) •n. the back or dorsal portion of an insect segment [ModL < Gr nōton, the back]
notwithstanding (nät'wið stæn´diŋ, -wiθ-) •prep. in spite of {he flew on, notwithstanding the storm} Sometimes in an inverted construction [he flew on, the storm notwithstanding] •adv. all the same, nevertheless {he must be told, notwithstanding} conj. in spite of the fact that; although
Nouakchott (nwäk shät´) capital of Mauritania, in the W part: pop. 135,000
nougat (nu:´gэt) •n. a confection of sugar paste with almonds or other nuts, and, sometimes, fruit [Fr < Prov nogat < noga, nuga, nut < L nux, NUT]
nought (nöt) •n., adj., adv. 1 Arith. the figure zero (0) 2 alt. sp. of NAUGHT [ME < OE nowiht < ne, not (see NO¹) + owiht, awiht, AUGHT]
Noumea (nu:'mei ä´) capital of New Caledonia: seaport on the SE coast: pop. 60,000
noumenon (nu:´mэ nän', also nau´-) pl. -me·na (-nэ) •n. in Kantian philosophy, a thing as it is in itself, unable to be known through perception but postulated as the intelligible ground of a phenomenon: distinguished from PHENOMENON nou´me·nal •adj. [Ger < Gr nooumenon, neut. of noumenos, prp. pass. of noein, to perceive < nous, noos, the mind]
noun (naun) Gram. any of a class of words naming or denoting a person, thing, place, action, quality, etc. (Ex.: woman, water, Paris, talking, beauty) •n. noun´al •adj. [ME nowne < OFr noun, nom < L nomen, NAME]
nourish (nør´ish) •vt. 1 to feed or sustain (any plant or animal) with substances necessary to life and growth 2 to foster; develop; promote (a feeling, attitude, habit, etc.) nour´ish·er •n. [ME norischen < OFr extended stem of norrir < L nutrire: see NURSE]
nourishing (-iŋ) •adj. contributing to health or growth; nutritious nour´ish·ing·ly •adv.
nourishment (nør´ish mэnt) •n. 1 a nourishing or being nourished 2 something that nourishes; food; nutriment [ME norysshement < OFr norissement]
nous (nu:s; also naus) •n. Philos. mind, reason, or intellect, specif. as a metaphysical principle [Gr nous, noos]
nouveau riche (nu:'vou ri:sh´) pl. nou·veaux riches (nu:'vou ri:sh´) a person who has only recently become rich: often connoting tasteless ostentation, lack of culture, etc. [Fr, newly rich]
nouvelle cuisine (nu: vel´) a style of French cooking that uses a minimum of fat and starch and emphasizes light sauces and the use of very fresh ingredients, often in unusual combinations prepared simply and served artistically arranged on the plate [Fr, new cuisine]
Nov November
nova (nou´vэ) pl. -vae (-vi:) •n.or -vas Astron. a type of variable star that suddenly increases in brightness by thousands to hundreds of thousands of times up to 14 magnitudes, and then decreases in brightness over a period of months to years [ModL < L nova (stella), new (star) < novus, NEW]
Nova Iguaçu (nô'vэ i:'gwэ su:´) city in SE Brazil: suburb of Rio de Janeiro: pop. 492,000
Nova Scotia (nou´vэ skou´shэ) province of SE Canada, consisting of a peninsula on the Atlantic, & Cape Breton Island: 21,425 sq. mi. (55,490 sq. km); pop. 873,000; cap. Halifax: abbrev. NS No´va Sco´tian [ModL, New Scotland]
novaculite (nou væk´yu: lait') •n. a hard, extremely fine-grained siliceous rock: it is used for whetstones [< L novacula, razor ( < *novare, to scrape, whet < IE *ksnewā- < base *kes-, to scratch, comb > HARDS) + -ITE¹]
Novara (nô vä´řä) commune in the Piedmont, NW Italy: pop. 102,000
novation (nou vei´shэn) •n. Law the substitution of a new obligation or contract for an old one by the mutual agreement of all parties concerned [LL novatio < L novare, to make new < novus, NEW]
Novato (nou vät´ou) city in W Calif., north of San Francisco: pop. 48,000 [after a local Indian chief baptized for St. Novatus]
Novaya Zemlya (nô´vä yä zem lyä´) archipelago of two large islands & several small ones in NW Russia, between the Barents & Kara seas: c. 36,000 sq. mi. (93,240 sq. km) [Russ, lit., new land]
novel (näv´эl) •adj. new and unusual; esp., being the first of its kind •n. [It novella < L neut. pl. of novellus (see the adj.), hence, orig., new things, news] 1 orig., NOVELLA (sense 1): usually used in pl. 2 a relatively long fictional prose narrative with a more or less complex plot or pattern of events, about actions, feelings, motives, etc. of a group of characters 3 the type or form of literature represented by such narratives: with the 4 Rom. Law a new law or decree, specif. one made by Justinian supplementary to the Justinian code: usually used in pl. [< LL novellae (constitutiones)] SYN. NEW nov'el·is´tic •adj. nov'el·is´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ME novell < OFr novel < L novellus, dim. of novus, NEW]
novelette (näv'эl et´) •n. SHORT NOVEL, sometimes, specif., one regarded as inferior in quality, banal, overly commercial, etc.
novelist (näv´эl ist) •n. a person who writes novels
novelize (näv´эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to give the form or characteristics of a novel to; make into or like a novel; specif., to use (a film script) as the basis of a novel nov'el·i·za´tion •n.
novella (nou vel´э) pl. -las or -le (-i:) •n. 1 a short prose narrative, usually with a moral and often satirical, as any of the tales in Boccaccio's Decameron 2 SHORT NOVEL [It: see NOVEL, n.]
novelty (näv´эl ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being novel; newness; freshness 2 something new, fresh, or unusual; change; innovation 3 a small, often cheap, cleverly made article, usually for play or adornment: usually used in pl. [ME novelte < OFr noveleté < LL novellitas]
November (nou vem´bэr) •n. the eleventh month of the year, having 30 days: abbrev. Nov or N [ME & OFr Novembre < L November < novem, NINE (+ -ber < ?): so named as the ninth month of the ancient Roman year, which began with March]
novena (nou vi:´nэ) •n. R.C.Ch. the recitation of prayers and the practicing of devotions on nine days, usually to seek some special favor [ML < fem. sing. of L novenus, nine each < novem, NINE]
Novgorod (nôv´gû řэt) city in NW Russia: former political & commercial center (11th-15th cent.): pop. 220,000
Novi Sad (nô´vi: säd´) city in N Yugoslavia, on the Danube: pop. 258,000
novice (näv´is) •n. 1 a person on probation in a religious group or order before taking vows; neophyte 2 a person new to a particular occupation, activity, etc.; apprentice; beginner; tyro SYN. AMATEUR [ME novis < OFr novice < L novicius, new, fresh < novus, NEW]
novillero (nô'vi: lye´řô, -vi: ye´-) pl. -ros (-řôs) •n. a novice bullfighter [Sp < novillo, young bull < L (bos) novellus, new (bull): see NOVEL]
novitiate (nou vish´ it; -vish´i: it, -i: eit') •n. 1 a) the period or state of being a novice b) NOVICE 2 the quarters assigned to religious novices Also [Chiefly Brit.] no·vi´ci·ate [Fr noviciat < ML novitiatus]
Novocain (nou´vэ kein', -vou-) trademark for PROCAINE: also sp. No´vo·caine' [L nov(us), NEW + (C)OCAIN(E)]
Novokuznetsk (nô'vô ku:z nyetsk´) city in SC Russia, in the Kuznetsk Basin: pop. 577,000
Novosibirsk (nô'vô si: biřsk´) city in SC Russia, on the Ob River: pop. 1,393,000
now (nau) •adv. 1 a) at the present time; at this moment b) at once 2 at the time referred to; then; next {now his joy began} 3 at a time very close to the present; specif., a) very recently; not long ago (with just) {he left just now} b) very soon (often with just) {they are leaving just now} 4 given the situation; with things as they are {now we'll never know what happened} Now is often used without any definite meaning for emphasis or to preface or resume one's remarks [now look here] conj. since; seeing that {now that you know} •n. the present time {that's all for now} •adj. of the present or current time {the now generation} •interj. an exclamation expressing a) warning, reproach, etc. {now, be careful!} b) sympathy, concern, etc. {now, now! don't worry!} now and then sometimes; occasionally: also now and again [ME < OE nu, akin to ON Goth, OHG nu < IE base *nu- > Gr nu, L nunc] NOW (nau) •n. 1 National Organization for Women 2 negotiable order of withdrawal
nowadays (nau´э deiz') •adv. in these days; at the present time •n. the present time [ME nou adaies < now + on + day + -s, adv. suffix]
noway (nou´wei') •adv. in no manner; by no means; not at all; nowise: now often written as two words (no way), pronounced with a rising stress, and used with the force of an interjection Also no´ways' (-weiz')
nowhere (nou´hwer', -wer') •adv. not in, at, or to any place, not anywhere: also [Colloq. or Dial.] no´wheres' •n. 1 a place that is nonexistent, unknown, remote, etc. 2 a place or state of obscurity nowhere near not by a wide margin [ME nowher < OE nahwær]
nowhither (nou´hwið'эr, -wið'-) •adv. in, at, or to no place; nowhere [ME nowhider < OE nahwider]
no-win (nou´win´) •adj. designating or of a situation, policy, etc. that cannot lead to success no matter what measures are taken
nowise (nou´waiz') •adv. in no manner; noway
nowt (naut) •n.pl. sing. nowt [Chiefly Scot.] cattle; oxen [ME < ON naut, cattle, akin to OE neat: see NEAT²]
Nox (näks) Rom. name for NYX [L, NIGHT]
noxious (näk´shэs) •adj. 1 harmful to the health; injurious {a noxious gas} 2 morally injurious; corrupting; unwholesome SYN. PERNICIOUS nox´ious·ly •adv. nox´ious·ness •n. [L noxius < noxa, injury, hurt < nocere, to hurt, injure: see NECRO-]
noyade (nwä yäd´) •n. a mass execution of persons by drowning, as practiced at Nantes, France, during the Reign of Terror (1794) [Fr < noyer, to drown < L necare, to kill (in LL, to drown): see NECRO-]
Noyes (noiz), Alfred 1880-1958; Eng. poet
nozzle (näz´эl) •n. 1 a spout at the end of a hose, pipe, bellows, etc., by which a stream of liquid or gas may be directed and controlled 2 [Slang] the nose [dim. of NOSE]
NP Notary Public Np Chem. symbol for neptunium
NPR National Public Radio
NRA 1 National Recovery Administration 2 National Rifle Association
NRC 1 National Research Council 2 Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NS 1 naval station 2 new series 3 New Style 4 Nova Scotia 5 nuclear ship 6 nuclear submarine
NSC National Security Council
nsf not sufficient funds NSF National Science Foundation
NSW New South Wales
NT 1 New Testament 2 Northern Territory 3 Northwest Territories
-n't not: a contracted form used in combination with certain verbs [aren't]
nt wt net weight
NTA nitrilotriacetic acid, a white crystalline powder, N(CH2COOH)3 formerly used in detergents for its biodegradable qualities, but discontinued as a possible health hazard
nth (enθ) •adj. 1 expressing the ordinal equivalent to n 2 of the indefinitely large or small quantity represented by n to the nth degree (or power) 1 to an indefinite degree or power 2 to an extreme [< (SEVE)NTH, (ELEVE)NTH]
NTP normal temperature (0°C) and air pressure (760 mm of mercury); STP
Nu Bible Numbers
nu¹ (nu:, nyu:) name of the thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν) •n. [Gr ny < Sem, as in Heb nūn]
nu² (nu:) •interj. an exclamation used to express surprise, agreement, acquiescence, resignation, etc., or a question, as well?, so?, so what?, etc.
nuance (nu:´äns', nyu:´-; nu:´äns´, nyu:-) •n. a slight or delicate variation in tone, color, meaning, etc.; shade of difference nu´anced •adj. [Fr < nuer, to shade < nue < VL *nuba, for L nubes, a cloud < IE *sneudh-, fog (> Welsh nudd), prob. < base *(s)na-, to flow, moisture > NATANT]
nub (nûb) •n. 1 a) a knob or lump b) a small piece Æ 2 [Colloq.] the point of a story or gist of a matter [var. of knub, for KNOB]
nubbin (nûb´in) •n. Æ 1 a small or imperfect ear of Indian corn 2 anything small or undeveloped {nubbins of coal} [dim. of prec.]
nubble (nûb´эl) •n. a small knob or lump nub´bly, -bli·er, -bli·est, •adj. [dim. of NUB]
nubby (nûb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. covered with small nubs, or lumps having a rough, knotted surface; nubbly nub´bi·ness •n.
Nubia (nu:´bi: э, nyu:´-) region & ancient kingdom in NE Africa, west of the Red Sea, in Egypt & Sudan [ML < L Nubae, the Nubians < Gr Noubai]
Nubian (-эn) •adj. designating or of Nubia, its people, or their language •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Nubia 2 a group of Chari-Nile languages spoken in Nubia
Nubian Desert desert in NE Sudan, between the Nile & the Red Sea
nubile (nu:´bil, -bail', -bэl; nyu:´-) •adj. 1 marriageable: said of a young woman who seems mature 2 sexually attractive: said of a young woman nu·bil´i·ty •n. [Fr nubile < L nubilis < nubere, to veil oneself, marry < IE base *sneubh-, to woo, marry > Gr nymphē, bride, nymph, Czech snoubiti, to woo]
nubilous (nu:´bэ lэs, nyu:´-) •adj. 1 cloudy; misty; foggy 2 obscure; indefinite [LL nubilosus, cloudy, for L nubilus < nubes, a cloud: see NUANCE]
nucellus (nu: sel´эs, nyu:-) pl. -cel´li' (-ai') •n. Bot. the central part of an ovule, containing the embryo sac nu·cel´lar •adj. [ModL < L nucella, dim. of nux (gen. nucis), NUT]
nucha (nu:´kэ, nyu:´-) pl. Zool. -chae (-ki:) •n. 1 the nape of the neck 2 in insects, the back part of the thorax nu´chal •adj. [ME < ML < Ar nukhā, spinal marrow]
nuclear (nu:´kli: эr, nyu:´-) •adj. 1 of, like or forming a nucleus 2 of or relating to atomic nuclei {nuclear energy} 3 of, characterized by, or operated by the use of atomic energy {nuclear weapons} 4 of, having, or involving nuclear weapons {nuclear warfare}
nuclear bomb an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb
nuclear emulsion any of various specialized photographic emulsions for recording the characteristic tracks of ionizing particles
nuclear energy the energy released from an atom in nuclear reactions or by radioactive decay: esp. the energy released in nuclear fission or nuclear fusion
nuclear family a basic social unit consisting of parents and their dependent children living in one household: cf. EXTENDED FAMILY
nuclear fission the splitting of the nuclei of atoms into two fragments of approximately equal mass, accompanied by conversion of part of the mass into energy: the principle of the atomic bomb
nuclear fusion the fusion of lightweight atomic nuclei, as of tritium or deuterium, into a nucleus of heavier mass, as of helium, with a resultant loss in the combined mass, which is converted into energy: the principle of the hydrogen bomb
nuclear magnetic resonance a phenomenon exhibited by various atomic nuclei when placed in a strong magnetic field, in which they absorb energy from specific, high frequency radio waves: the measurements of the magnetic moments of these nuclei, esp. of hydrogen, are used in medical diagnostics, chemical research, etc. to study the nature and structure of matter
nuclear physics the branch of physics dealing with the structure of atomic nuclei, nuclear forces, the interaction between particles and nuclei, the fission process, the study of radioactive decay, etc.
nuclear reactor a device for initiating and maintaining a controlled nuclear chain reaction in a fissile fuel for the production of energy or additional fissile material
nuclear sap KARYOLYMPH
nuclear winter a hypothetical scenario following a major nuclear war in which the atmosphere will be clouded with smoke, dust, etc. for a long time causing loss of sunlight, frigid temperatures, etc.: this is thought to be a threat to most life forms since accompanying high winds will carry the radioactive dust, smoke, etc. to many areas of the earth and destroy agriculture, food chains, etc.
nuclease (nu:´kli: eis', nyu:´-) •n. any of various enzymes that speed up the hydrolysis of nucleic acids [NUCLE(O)- + -ASE]
nucleate (for adj. nu:´kli: it, -eit'; nyu:-; for v., -eit') •adj. having a nucleus •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing to form into or around a nucleus [< L nucleatus] •vi. to form a nucleus nu'cle·a´tion •n. nu´cle·a'tor •n. [L nucleatus, having a kernel, pp. of nucleare, to become like a kernel < nucleus: see NUCLEUS]