Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 94

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Page 94 of 179

Nag

Nag, nag, n. a horse, but particularly a small one—(Scot.) Naig: (Shak.) a jade. [M. E. nagge—Mid. Dut. negge, negghe (mod. Dut. negge); cf. Neigh.]

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Nag

Nag, nag, v.t. to worry or annoy continually: to tease or vex: to find fault with constantly:—pr.p. nag′ging; pa.p. nagged.—n. Nag′ger. [Cf. Gnaw.]

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Naga

Naga, nä′ga, n. the name of deified serpents in Hindu mythology.

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Nagari

Nagari. See Deva-nagari.

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Naiad

Naiad, nā′yad, n. a water-nymph or a goddess, presiding over rivers and springs:—pl. Nai′ades. [L. and Gr. naias, naiados, from naein, to flow.]

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Naiant

Naiant, nā′yant, adj. floating: (her.) swimming, as a fish placed horizontally across a shield. [L. nans, nantis, pr.p. of natāre, to swim.]

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Naïf

Naïf, nä-ēf′, Naïve, nä-ēv′, adj. with natural or unaffected simplicity, esp. in thought, manners, or speech: artless: ingenuous.—adv. Naïve′ly.—n. Naïveté (nä-ēv-tā′), natural simplicity and unreservedness of thought, m

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Nail

Nail, nāl, n. one of the flattened, elastic, horny plates placed as protective coverings on the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes: the claw of a bird or other animal: a thin pointed piece o

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Nainsell

Nainsell, nān′sel, n. own self—Highland Scotch.

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Nainsook

Nainsook, nān′sōōk, n. a kind of muslin like jaconet, both plain and striped. [Hind.]

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Naissant

Naissant, nās′sant, adj. (her.) rising or coming forth, as an animal newly born or about to be born. [Fr., pr.p. of naître—L. nasci, natus, to be born.]

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Naïve

Naïve. See Naïf.

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Naked

Naked, nā′ked, adj. without clothes: uncovered: open to view: unconcealed: evident: unarmed: defenceless: unprovided: without addition or ornament: simple: artless: (bot.) without the usual covering.—adv. Nā′kedly.—n. Nā

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Naker

Naker, nā′ker, n. a kettledrum. [O. Fr.,—Ar.]

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Nam

Nam, nam, n. an obsolete law term for distraint.—n. Namā′tion. [A.S. niman, pa.t. nam, to take.]

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Namby-pamby

Namby-pamby, nam′bi-pam′bi, n. silly talking or writing.—adj. sentimental, affectedly pretty.—v.t. to coddle. [H. Carey's nickname for Ambrose Philips (1671-1749), from his childish odes to children.]

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Name

Name, nām, n. that by which a person or a thing is known or called: a designation: that which is said of a person: reputed character: reputation: fame: celebrity: remembrance: a race or family: appearance, not reality: a

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Nancy

Nancy, nan′si, n. an effeminate young man, often a 'Miss Nancy.'—Nancy Pretty, a corruption of none so pretty, the Saxifraga umbrosa.

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Nandine

Nandine, nan′din, n. a small West African paradoxure, with spotted sides.

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Nandu

Nandu, Nandoo, nan′dōō, n. the South American ostrich.

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Nanism

Nanism, nā′nizm, n. dwarfishness.—n. Nanisā′tion, the artificial dwarfing of trees.—adj. Nā′noid. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. nanos, a dwarf.]

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Nankeen

Nankeen, nan-kēn′, n. a buff-coloured cotton cloth first made at Nankin in China: (pl.) clothes, esp. breeches, made of nankeen.—Also Nankin′.

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Nanny

Nanny, nan′i, n. a female goat.—Also Nann′y-goat.

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Nap

Nap, nap, n. a short sleep.—v.i. to take a short sleep: to feel drowsy and secure:—pr.p. nap′ping; pa.p. napped.—Catch napping, to come upon unprepared. [A.S. hnappian; cf. Ger. nicken, to nod.]

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Nap

Nap, nap, n. the woolly substance on the surface of cloth: the downy covering of plants.—v.t. to raise a nap on.—ns. Nap′-mē′ter, a machine for testing the wearing strength of cloth; Nap′piness.—adj. Nap′py. [M. E. noppe

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Nap

Nap, nap, n. a game of cards—Napoleon (q.v.).

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Nap

Nap, nap, v.t. to seize, to take hold of, steal.

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Nape

Nape, nāp, n. the back upper part of the neck, perhaps so called from the knob or projecting point of the neck behind. [Knap, knob.]

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Napery

Napery, nā′per-i, n. linen, esp. for the table: table-cloths, napkins, &c. [O. Fr.,—Low L. naparia—napa, a cloth—L. mappa, a napkin.]

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Naphtha

Naphtha, naf′tha, or nap′tha, n. a clear, inflammable liquid distilled from petroleum, wood, coal-tar, &c.: rock-oil.—n. Naph′thalene, a grayish-white, inflammable substance obtained by the distillation of coal-tar.—adj.

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Napierian

Napierian, nā-pē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to John Napier of Merchiston (1550-1617), the inventor of logarithms.—Napier's bones, or rods, an invention of Napier's for performing mechanically the operations of multiplication

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Napiform

Napiform, nāp′i-form, adj. shaped like a turnip: large and round above and slender below.—adj. Napifō′lious, with leaves like the turnip. [L. napus, a turnip.]

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Napkin

Napkin, nap′kin, n. a cloth for wiping the hands: a handkerchief.—n. Nap′kin-ring, a ring in which a table-napkin is rolled. [Dim. of Fr. nappe.]

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Naples-yellow

Naples-yellow, nā′plz-yel′lō, n. a light-yellow pigment consisting of antimoniate of lead, originally made in Italy by a secret process.

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Napless

Napless, nap′les, adj. without nap: threadbare.

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Napoleon

Napoleon, na-pō′lē-on, n. a French gold coin worth 20 francs, or about 15s. 10½d.: a French modification of the game of euchre, each player receiving five cards and playing for himself: a kind of rich iced cake.—adj. Nap

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Nappy

Nappy, nap′i, adj. heady, strong: tipsy.—n. strong ale. [Prob. from nap, a sleep.]

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Nappy

Nappy, nap′i, adj. (Scot.) brittle. [Cf. Knap.]

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Napron

Napron, nap′ron, n. (Spens.) an apron.

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Narcissus

Narcissus, nar-sis′us, n. a genus of plants of the Amaryllis family, comprising the daffodils. [L.,—Gr. narkissos—narkē, torpor.]

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Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, nar′kō-lep-si, n. a nervous disorder marked by frequent short attacks of irresistible drowsiness.

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Narcotic

Narcotic, nar-kot′ik, adj. having power to produce torpor, sleep, or deadness.—n. a medicine producing sleep or stupor.—n. Narcō′sis, the stupefying effect of a narcotic.—adv. Narcot′ically.—n. Nar′cotine, one of the org

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Nard

Nard, närd, n. an aromatic plant usually called Spikenard: an ointment prepared from it.—adj. Nard′ine. [Fr.,—L. nardus—Gr. nardos—Pers. nard—Sans. nalada, from Sans. nal, to smell.]

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Nardoo

Nardoo, när-dōō′, n. an Australian cryptogamic plant whose spore-cases are eaten by the natives.

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Nardus

Nardus, när′dus, n. a genus of grasses, having but one species, Nardus stricta, mat-grass.

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Narghile

Narghile, när′gi-le, n. an Eastern tobacco-pipe, in which the smoke is passed through water.—Also Nar′gile, Nar′gileh, Nar′gili. [Pers.]

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Naris

Naris, nā′ris, n. a nostril:—pl. Nā′res.—adjs. Nar′ial, Nar′ine.—n. Nar′icorn, the horny nasal sheath of the beak of some birds.—adj. Nar′iform. [L.]

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Narrate

Narrate, na-rāt′, or nar′-, v.t. to tell, to give an account of.—adj. Narr′able, capable of being told.—n. Narrā′tion, act of telling: that which is told: an orderly account of what has happened.—adj. Narr′ative, narrati

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Narre

Narre, när, adj. (Spens.) an older form of near.

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Narrow

Narrow, nar′ō, adj. of little breadth: of small extent from side to side: limited: contracted in mind: bigoted: not liberal: selfish: within a small distance: almost too small: close: accurate: careful.—n. (oftener used

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Narthex

Narthex, nar′theks, n. a former genus of umbelliferous plants, now included in Ferula: a portico or lobby in an early Christian or Oriental church or basilica. [L.,—Gr., narthēx.]

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Narwhal

Narwhal, när′hwal, Narwal, när′wal, n. the sea-unicorn, a mammal of the whale family with one large projecting tusk. [Dan. narhval—Ice. náhvalr, 'corpse-whale,' from the creature's pallid colour (Ice. nár, corpse).]

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Nary

Nary, ner′i, a provincial corruption of ne'er a, never a.

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Nas

Nas, nas, an obsolete corruption of ne has; of ne was.

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Nasal

Nasal, nā′zal, adj. belonging to the nose: affected by, or sounded through, the nose.—n. a letter or sound uttered through the nose: the nose-piece in a helmet.—n. Nasalisā′tion, the act of uttering with a nasal sound.—v

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Nasard

Nasard, naz′ard, n. a mutation-stop in organ-building.—Also Nas′arde.

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Nascent

Nascent, nas′ent, adj. springing up: arising: beginning to exist or to grow.—n. Nas′cency, the beginning of production: birth or origin. [L. nascens, -entis, pr.p. of nasci, natus, to be born.]

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Naseberry

Naseberry, nāz′ber-i, n. an American tropical tree.—Also Nees′berry, Nis′berry. [Sp. níspero—L. mespilus, medlar.]

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Nasturtium

Nasturtium, nas-tur′shi-um, n. the water-cress. [L., nasus, the nose, torquēre, tortum, to twist.]

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Nasty

Nasty, nas′ti, adj. dirty: filthy: obscene: disagreeable to the taste or smell: difficult to deal with: ill-natured: nauseous.—adv. Nas′tily.—n. Nas′tiness. [Old form nasky, soft; cf. prov. Swed. snaskig, nasty, Low Ger.

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Nasute

Nasute, nā-sūt′, adj. having a long snout: keen-scented.

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Natal

Natal, nā′tal, adj. pertaining to the nates or buttocks.—n.pl. Nā′tes, the buttocks.—adj. Nat′iform. [L. natis, the rump.]

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Natal

Natal, nā′tal, adj. pertaining to birth: native: presiding over birthdays.—adj. Natali′tial, pertaining to a birthday.—n. Natal′ity, birth-rate. [Fr.,—L. natalis—nasci, natus, to be born.]

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Natant

Natant, nā′tant, adj. floating on the surface, as leaves of water-plants: (her.) in a horizontal position, as if swimming.—n. Natā′tion, swimming.—n.pl. Natatō′res, the swimming-birds.—adj. Natatō′rial, swimming: adapted

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Natch

Natch, nach, n. (prov.) the rump.

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Natch

Natch, nach, n. a provincial form of notch.

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Nathless

Nathless, nath′les, adj. not the less: nevertheless.—Also Nathe′less. [A.S. ná thý læs, not the less.]

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Nathmore

Nathmore, nath′mōr, adv. (Spens.) not or never the more.—Also Nath′moe. [A.S. ná thý mára.]

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Nation

Nation, nā′shun, n. a body of people born of the same stock: the people inhabiting the same country, or under the same government: a race: a great number: a division of students in a university for voting purposes at Abe

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National

National, nash′un-al, adj. pertaining to a nation: public: general: attached to one's own country.—n. Nationalisā′tion, the act of nationalising, as of railways, private property, &c.: the state of being nationalised.—v.

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Native

Native, nā′tiv, adj. arising or appearing by birth: produced by nature: pertaining to the time or place of birth: belonging by birth, hereditary, natural, original: occurring uncombined with other substances, as metals.—

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Natrix

Natrix, nā′triks, n. a genus of colubrine snakes. [L.,—natāre, to swim.]

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Natrolite

Natrolite, nat′ro-līt, n. one of the most common of the group of minerals known as Zeolites.

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Natron

Natron, nā′trun, n. native carbonate of sodium, or mineral alkali, the nitre of the Bible.—n. Natrom′eter, an instrument for measuring the quantity of soda in salts of potash and soda. [Fr.,—L. nitrum—Gr. nitron.]

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Natter

Natter, nat′ėr, v.t. and v.i. (prov.) to find fault.—adjs. Natt′ered, Natt′ery, peevish.

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Natterjack

Natterjack, nat′ėr-jak, n. a common European toad. [Cf. Adder.]

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Nattes

Nattes, nats, n.pl. surface decoration or diaper resembling plaited or interlaced work. [Fr.]

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Natty

Natty, nat′i, adj. trim, tidy, neat, spruce.—adv. Natt′ily.—n. Natt′iness. [Allied to neat.]

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Natural

Natural, nat′ū-ral, adj. pertaining to, produced by, or according to nature: inborn: not far-fetched: not acquired: tender: unaffected: in a state of nature, unregenerate: (math.) having 1 as the base of the system, of a

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Nature

Nature, nā′tūr, n. the power which creates and which regulates the material world: the power of growth: the established order of things, the universe: the qualities of anything which make it what it is: constitution: spe

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Naught

Naught, nawt, n. no-whit, nothing.—adv. in no degree.—adj. of no value or account: worthless: bad.—Be naught, an obsolete form of malediction; Come to naught, to come to nothing, to fail; Set at naught, to treat as of no

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Naughty

Naughty, nawt′i, adj. bad in conduct or speech: mischievous: perverse: disagreeable.—adv. Naught′ily.—n. Naught′iness.

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Naumachy

Naumachy, naw′ma-ki, n. a sea-fight: a show representing a sea-fight.—Also Naumach′ia. [Gr. naus, a ship, machē, a fight.]

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Nauplius

Nauplius, naw′pli-us, n. a stage of development of low Crustaceans, as cirripeds, &c.:—pl. Nau′plii.—adjs. Nau′pliiform, Nau′plioid. [L., a kind of shell-fish—Gr. Nauplios, a son of Poseidon, naus, a ship, plein, to sail

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Nauropometer

Nauropometer, naw-rō-pom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring a ship's heeling or inclination at sea. [Gr. naus, a ship, hropē, inclination, metron, measure.]

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Nauscopy

Nauscopy, naw′skop-i, n. the art of sighting ships at great distances. [Gr. naus, a ship, skopein, to see.]

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Nausea

Nausea, naw′she-a, n. sea-sickness: any sickness of the stomach, with a tendency to vomit: loathing.—adj. Nau′seant, producing nausea.—n. a substance having this quality.—v.i. Nau′seāte, to feel nausea or disgust.—v.t. t

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Nautch

Nautch, nawch, n. a kind of ballet-dance performed by professional dancers known as Nautch′-girls in India: any form of stage entertainment with dancing. [Hind. nāch, dance.]

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Nautical

Nautical, naw′tik-al, adj. of or pertaining to ships, to sailors, or to navigation: naval: marine.—adv. Nau′tically.—Nautical almanac, an almanac giving information specially useful to sailors; Nautical mile, one-sixtiet

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Nautilus

Nautilus, naw′ti-lus, n. a Cephalopod found in the southern seas, once believed to sail by means of the expanded tentacular arms: a kind of diving-bell sinking or rising by means of condensed air:—pl. Nau′tiluses, or Nau

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Naval

Naval, nā′val, adj. pertaining to ships: consisting of, or possessing, ships: marine: nautical: belonging to the navy.—Naval brigade, a body of seamen so arranged as to be able to serve on land; Naval officer, an officer

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Nave

Nave, nāv, n. the middle or main body of a church, distinct from the aisles or wings.—n. Nā′varch, a Greek admiral. [Fr. nef—L. navis, a ship.]

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Nave

Nave, nāv, n. the hub or piece of wood, &c., in the centre of a wheel, through which the axle passes.—v.t. to form as a nave. [A.S. nafu, nave; cf. Dut. naaf, Ger. nabe.]

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Navel

Navel, nāv′l, n. the mark or depression in the centre of the lower part of the abdomen, at first a small projection.—n. Nāv′el-string, the umbilical cord. [A.S. nafela, dim. of nafu, nave.]

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Navew

Navew, nā′vū, n. the wild turnip.

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Navicular

Navicular, nav-ik′ū-lar, adj. pertaining to small ships or boats: (bot.) boat-shaped: scaphoid.—n. a bone in man and animals, so called from its shape.—n. Navic′ula, an incense-boat.—Navicular disease, an inflammation, o

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Navigate

Navigate, nav′i-gāt, v.t. to steer or manage a ship in sailing: to sail upon.—v.i. to go in a vessel or ship: to sail.—ns. Navigabil′ity, Nav′igableness.—adj. Nav′igable, that may be passed by ships or vessels.—adv. Nav′

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Navvy

Navvy, nav′i, n. a labourer—originally a labourer on a navigation or canal: a machine for digging out earth, &c.—called also French navvy:—pl. Navv′ies. [A contr. of navigator.]

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Navy

Navy, nā′vi, n. a fleet of ships: the whole of the ships-of-war of a nation: the officers and men belonging to the warships of a nation.—ns. Nā′vy-list, a list of the officers and ships of a navy, published from time to

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Nawab

Nawab, na-wab′, n. a nabob.

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Nay

Nay, nā, adv. no: not only so, but: yet more: in point of fact.—n. a denial: a vote against.—n. Nay′ward (Shak.), tendency to denial: the negative side. [M. E. nay, nai—Ice. nei, Dan. nei; cog. with no.]

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Nayword

Nayword, nā′wurd, n. (Shak.) a proverbial reproach, a byword, a watchword.

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Nazarene

Nazarene, naz′ar-ēn, n. an inhabitant of Nazareth, in Galilee: a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, originally used of Christians in contempt: one belonging to the early Christian sect of the Nazarenes, which existed from th

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Nazarite

Nazarite, naz′ar-īt, n. a Jew who vowed to abstain from strong drink, &c.—also Naz′irite.—n. Naz′aritism, the vow and practice of a Nazarite. [Heb. nāzar, to consecrate.]

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Naze

Naze, nāz, n. a headland or cape. [Scand., as in Dan. næs; a doublet of ness.]

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Nazir

Nazir, na-zēr′, n. a native official in an Anglo-Indian court who serves summonses, &c. [Ar.]

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Ne

Ne, ne, adv. not: never. [A.S. ne; cf. Nay.]

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Ne'er

Ne'er, nār, adv. contr. of never.—adj. and n. Ne'er′-do-well, past all well-doing: one who is good for nothing.

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Neaf

Neaf, nēf, n. the fist—(Scot.) Neive. [M. E. nefe—Ice. hnefi, nefi; cf. Sw. näfve, the fist.]

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Neal

Neal, nēl, v.t. to temper by heat.—v.i. to be tempered by heat. [Cf. Anneal.]

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Nealogy

Nealogy, nē-al′o-ji, n. the description of the morphological correlations of the early adolescent stages of an animal.—adj. Nealog′ic. [Gr. neos, young, logia—legein, to speak.]

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Neanderthaloid

Neanderthaloid, nē-an′dėr-tal-oid, adj. like the low type of skull found in 1857 in a cave in the Neanderthal, a valley between Düsseldorf and Elberfeld.

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Neap

Neap, nēp, adj. low, applied to the lowest tides.—n. a neap-tide: the lowest point of the tide.—adj. Neaped, left aground from one high tide to another. [A.S. nép, orig. hnép; Dan. knap, Ice. neppr, scanty.]

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Neapolitan

Neapolitan, nē-a-pol′i-tan, adj. pertaining to the city of Naples or its inhabitants.—n. a native or inhabitant of Naples.—Neapolitan ice, a combination of two different ices. [L. Neapolitanus—Gr. Neapolis, Naples—neos,

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Near

Near, nēr, adj. nigh: not far away in place or time: close in kin or friendship: dear: following or imitating anything closely: close, narrow, so as barely to escape: short, as a road: greedy, stingy: on the left in ridi

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Nearctic

Nearctic, nē-ark′tik, adj. of or pertaining to the northern part of the New World—embracing temperate and arctic North America.

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Neat

Neat, nēt, adj. belonging to the bovine genus.—n. black-cattle: an ox or cow.—ns. Neat′-herd, one who herds, or has the care of, neat or cattle; Neat′-house, a building for the shelter of neat-cattle.—Neat's-foot oil, an

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Neat

Neat, nēt, adj. trim: tidy: clean: well-shaped: without mixture or adulteration: finished, adroit, clever, skilful.—adj. Neat′-hand′ed, dexterous.—adv. Neat′ly.—n. Neat′ness. [Fr. net—L. nitidus, shining—nìtēre, to shine

English · e-38699-129

Neb

Neb, neb, n. the beak of a bird: the nose: the sharp point of anything.—adj. Nebb′y (Scot.), saucy. [A.S. nebb, the face; cog. with Dut. neb, beak.]

English · e-38699-130

Neb-neb

Neb-neb, neb′-neb, n. the dried pods of a species of acacia found in Africa, which are much used in Egypt for tanning—called also Bablah.

English · e-38699-133

Nebbuk

Nebbuk, neb′uk, n. a shrub, Zizyphus Spina-Christi, one of the thorns of Christ's crown.

English · e-38699-131 · brief source record

Nebel

Nebel, neb′el, n. a Hebrew stringed instrument.

English · e-38699-132 · brief source record

Nebris

Nebris, neb′ris, n. a fawn-skin worn in imitation of Bacchus by his priests and votaries.

English · e-38699-134 · brief source record

Nebula

Nebula, neb′ū-la, n. a little cloud: a faint, misty appearance in the heavens produced either by a group of stars too distant to be seen singly, or by diffused gaseous matter:—pl. Neb′ulæ.—adjs. Neb′ular, pertaining to n

English · e-38699-135

Necessary

Necessary, nes′es-sar-i, adj. that must be: that cannot be otherwise: unavoidable: indispensable: under compulsion: not free.—n. that which cannot be left out or done without (food, &c.)—used chiefly in pl.: a privy.—ns.

English · e-38699-136

Necessity

Necessity, ne-ses′i-ti, n. state or quality of being necessary: that which is necessary or unavoidable: compulsion: great need: poverty.—ns. Necessitā′rian; Necessitā′rianism, necessarianism.—v.t. Necess′itāte, to make n

English · e-38699-137

Neck

Neck, nek, n. the part of an animal's body between the head and trunk: anything that resembles the neck: a long narrow part or corner: (fig.) life: the flesh of the neck and adjoining parts.—v.t. to break the neck or cut

English · e-38699-138

Necrolatry

Necrolatry, nek-rol′a-tri, n. worship of the dead.—ns. Necrobiō′sis, degeneration of living tissue; Necrog′rapher, one who writes an obituary notice.—adjs. Necrolog′ic, -al, pertaining to necrology.—ns. Necrol′ogist, one

English · e-38699-139

Nectar

Nectar, nek′tar, n. the name given by Homer, Hesiod, Pindar, &c. to the beverage of the gods, giving life and beauty: a delicious beverage: the honey of the glands of plants.—adjs. Nectā′real, Nectā′rean, pertaining to,

English · e-38699-140

Nectocalyx

Nectocalyx, nek′to-kā-liks, n. the swimming-bell of a medusa:—pl. Nectocā′lyces.

English · e-38699-141 · brief source record

Neddy

Neddy, ned′i, n. a donkey. [From Ned=Edward.]

English · e-38699-142 · brief source record

Née

Née, nā, adj. born: placed before a married woman's maiden-name, to show her own family, as Rebecca Crawley, née Sharp. [Fr., fem. of né, pa.p. of naître, to be born—L. nasci, natus, to be born.]

English · e-38699-143

Need

Need, nēd, n. want of something which one cannot do without: necessity: a state that requires relief: want of the means of living.—v.t. to have occasion for: to want.—ns. Need′-be, a necessity; Need′er; Need′fire, fire p

English · e-38699-144

Needle

Needle, nēd′l, n. a small, sharp-pointed steel instrument, with an eye for a thread—(Shak.) Neeld, Neele: any slender, pointed instrument like a needle, as the magnet or movable bar of a compass, or for knitting, etching

English · e-38699-145

Neep

Neep, a Scotch form of turnip.

English · e-38699-146 · brief source record

Neese

Neese, nēz, v.i. an old form of sneeze.—n. Nees′ing, sneezing.

English · e-38699-148 · brief source record

Nef

Nef, nef, n. a cadenas.

English · e-38699-149 · brief source record

Nefandous

Nefandous, nē-fan′dus, adj. bad to execration, abominable. [L.,—ne, not, fandus, fāri, to speak.]

English · e-38699-150 · brief source record

Nefarious

Nefarious, nē-fā′ri-us, adj. impious: extremely wicked: villainous.—adv. Nefā′riously.—n. Nefā′riousness.—adj. Nēfast′, abominable. [L. nefarius, contrary to divine law—ne, not, fas, divine law, prob. from fāri, to speak

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Negation

Negation, ne-gā′shun, n. act of saying no: denial: (logic) the absence of certain qualities in anything. [Fr.,—L. negation-em-—negāre, -ātum, to say no—nec, not, aio, I say yes.]

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Negative

Negative, neg′a-tiv, adj. that denies or refuses—opp. to Affirmative: implying absence: that stops, hinders, neutralises—opp. to Positive: in photography, exhibiting the reverse, as dark for light, light for dark: (logic

English · e-38699-153

Negātur

Negātur, v. it is denied. [L., 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. pass. of negāre, to deny.]

English · e-38699-154 · brief source record

Neglect

Neglect, neg-lekt′, v.t. to treat carelessly, pass by without notice: to omit by carelessness.—n. disregard: slight: omission.—adj. Neglect′able, that may be neglected.—ns. Neglect′edness; Neglect′er.—adj. Neglect′ful, c

English · e-38699-155

Negligée

Negligée, neg-li-zhā′, n. easy undress: a plain, loose gown: a necklace, usually of red coral.—adj. carelessly or unceremoniously dressed: careless. [Fr., fem. of négligé—négliger, to neglect.]

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Negligence

Negligence, neg′li-jens, n. fact or quality of being negligent: want of proper care: habitual neglect: a single act of carelessness or neglect, a slight: carelessness about dress, manner, &c.: omission of duty, esp. such

English · e-38699-157

Negotiable

Negotiable, ne-gō′shi-a-bl, adj. that may be transacted: that can be transferred to another with the same rights as belonged to the original holder, as a bill of exchange.—n. Negotiabil′ity.

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Negotiate

Negotiate, ne-gō′shi-āt, v.i. to carry on business: to bargain: to hold intercourse for the purpose of mutual arrangement.—v.t. to arrange for by agreement: to manage: to transfer to another with all the rights of the or

English · e-38699-159

Negrito

Negrito, ne-grē′to, n. the Spanish name for certain tribes of negro-like diminutive people in the interior of some of the Philippine Islands—also Aëtas or Itas: in a wider sense, the Papuans and all the Melanesian people

English · e-38699-160

Negro

Negro, nē′grō, n. one of the black-skinned woolly-haired race in the Soudan and central parts of Africa, also their descendants in America.—adj. of or pertaining to the race of black men:—fem. Nē′gress.—ns. Nē′gro-corn,

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Negus

Negus, nē′gus, n. a beverage of either port or sherry with hot water, sweetened and spiced. [Said to be so called from Colonel Negus, its first maker, in the reign of Queen Anne.]

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Negus

Negus, nē′gus, n. the title of the kings of Abyssinia.

English · e-38699-163 · brief source record

Neif

Neif, nēf, n. (Shak.) the fist.

English · e-38699-164 · brief source record

Neigh

Neigh, nā, v.i. to utter the cry of a horse:—pr.p. neigh′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. neighed (nād).—n. the cry of a horse—(Scot.) Nich′er. [A.S. hnǽgan; Ice. hneggja.]

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Neighbour

Neighbour, nä′bur, n. a person who dwells, sits, or stands near another: one who is on friendly terms with another.—adj. (B.) neighbouring.—v.i. to live near each other.—v.t. to be near to.—n. Neigh′bourhood, state of be

English · e-38699-166

Neist

Neist, nēst, a dialectic form of next.

English · e-38699-167 · brief source record

Neither

Neither, nē′thėr, or nī′thėr, adj. and pron. not either.—conj. not either: and not: nor yet.—adv. not at all: in no case. [A.S. náther, náwther, abbrev. of náhwæther—ne, not, áhwæther, áwther, either.]

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Neivie-nick-nack

Neivie-nick-nack, nē′vi-nik′-nak, n. a Scotch children's game of guessing in which hand a thing is held while the holder repeats a rhyme beginning with these words.

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Nelumbo

Nelumbo, nē-lum′bō, n. a genus of water-lilies including the Egyptian Bean of Pythagoras, and the Hindu Lotus.—Also Nelum′bium. [Ceylon name.]

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Nemalite

Nemalite, nem′a-līt, n. a fibrous hydrate of magnesia. [Gr. nēma, a thread, lithos, a stone.]

English · e-38699-171 · brief source record

Nemathecium

Nemathecium, nem-a-thē′si-um, n. a wart-like elevation on the surface of the thallus of certain florideous algæ. [Gr. nēma, a thread, thēkion, thēkē, case.]

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Nemathelminthes

Nemathelminthes, nem-a-thel-min′thez, n.pl. a name applied to the thread-worms or nematodes (as Ascaris, Guinea-worm, Trichina), to the somewhat distinct Gordiidæ or hair-eels, and to the more remotely allied Acanthoceph

English · e-38699-173

Nematocerous

Nematocerous, nem-a-tos′e-rus, adj. having long thready antennæ, as a dipterous insect. [Gr. nēma, a thread, keras, a horn.]

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Nematocyst

Nematocyst, nem′a-tō-sist, n. a cnida, one of the offensive organs of Cœlenterates, as jellyfish. [Gr. nēma, a thread, kystis, a bladder.]

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Nematoid

Nematoid, nem′a-toid, adj. thread-like—also Nem′atode.—n.pl. Nematoi′dea, a class of Vermes, with mouth, alimentary canal, and separate sexes, usually parasitic. [Gr. nēma, thread, eidos, form.]

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Nemean

Nemean, nē′mē-an, adj. pertaining to Nemea, a valley of Argolis in the Peloponnesus, famous for its public games held in the second and fourth of each Olympiad.

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Nemertea

Nemertea, nē-mer′tē-a, n.pl. a class of Vermes, mostly marine, unsegmented, covered with cilia, often brightly coloured, with protrusile proboscis, and usually distinct sexes.—adj. Nemer′tean. [Gr. Nēmertēs, a nereid's n

English · e-38699-178

Nemesis

Nemesis, nem′e-sis, n. (myth.) the goddess of vengeance: retributive justice.—adj. Nemes′ic. [Gr.,—nemein, to distribute.]

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Nemo

Nemo, nē′mo, n. nobody: a nobody. [L.]

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Nemocerous

Nemocerous, nē-mos′e-rus, adj. having filamentous antennæ.

English · e-38699-181 · brief source record

Nemoral

Nemoral, nem′o-ral, adj. pertaining to a wood or grove.—n. Nemoph′ilist.—adjs. Nemoph′ilous, fond of woods, inhabiting woods; Nem′orose, growing in woodland; Nem′orous, woody. [L. nemus, -ŏris, a grove.]

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Nempt

Nempt, nemt (Spens.), named, called.

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Nenuphar

Nenuphar, nen′ū-far, n. the great white water-lily. [Fr.,—Ar.]

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Neo-Catholic

Neo-Catholic, nē-ō-kath′o-lik, adj. pertaining to the short-lived school of liberal Catholicism that followed Lamennais, Lacordaire, and Montalembert about 1830: pertaining to a small party within the Anglican Church, wh

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Neo-Christian

Neo-Christian, nē-ō-kris′tyan, adj. and n. of or pertaining to so-called Neo-Christianity, which merely means old Rationalism.

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Neo-Kantian

Neo-Kantian, nē-ō-kan′ti-an, adj. pertaining to the philosophy of Kant as taught by his successors.

English · e-38699-193 · brief source record

Neo-Latin

Neo-Latin, nē-ō-lat′in, n. Latin as written by modern writers: new Latin, as in the Romance languages sprung from the Latin.

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Neo-paganism

Neo-paganism, nē-ō-pā′gan-izm, n. a revival of paganism, or its spirit—a euphemism for mere animalism.—v.t. Neo-pā′ganīse, to imbue with this spirit.

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Neocomian

Neocomian, nē-ō-kō′mi-an, adj. and n. (geol.) of or pertaining to the lower division of the Cretaceous system, including the Lower Greensand and the Wealden of English geologists. [Græcised from Neuchâtel, near which is

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Neocosmic

Neocosmic, nē-ō-koz′mik, adj. pertaining to the present condition of the universe, esp. its races of men. [Gr. neos, new, kosmos, the universe.]

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Neocracy

Neocracy, nē-ok′ra-si, n. government by upstarts.

English · e-38699-189 · brief source record

Neogamist

Neogamist, nē-og′a-mist, n. a person recently married.

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Neogrammarian

Neogrammarian, nē-ō-gra-mā′ri-an, n. one of the more recent school in the study of Indo-European grammar and philology, who attach vast importance to phonetic change, and the laws governing it.—adj. Neogrammat′ical.

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Neohellenism

Neohellenism, nē-ō-hel′en-izm, n. the modern Hellenism inspired by the ancient: the devotion to ancient Greek ideals in literature and art, esp. in the Italian Renaissance.

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Neolite

Neolite, nē′ō-līt, n. a dark-green silicate of aluminium and magnesium. [Gr. neos, new, lithos, a stone.]

English · e-38699-195 · brief source record

Neolithic

Neolithic, nē-ō-lith′ik, adj. applied to the more recent implements of the stone age—opp. to Palæolithic. [Gr. neos, new, lithos, a stone.]

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Neology

Neology, nē-ol′o-ji, n. the introduction of new words, or new senses of old words, into a language: (theol.) new doctrines, esp. German rationalism.—n. Neolō′gian.—adjs. Neolog′ic, -al, pertaining to neology: using new w

English · e-38699-197

Neonomianism

Neonomianism, nē-ō-nō′mi-an-izm, n. the doctrine that the gospel is a new law, and that faith has abrogated the old moral obedience.—n. Neonō′mian. [Gr. neos, new, nomos, law.]

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Neonomous

Neonomous, nē-on′o-mus, adj. having a greatly modified biological structure, specialised according to recent conditions of environment. [Gr. neos, new, nomos, law.]

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Neontology

Neontology, nē-on-tol′o-ji, n. the science and description of extant, as apart from extinct, animals.—n. Neontol′ogist. [Gr. neos, new, on, ontos, being, logia—legein, to speak.]

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Neophobia

Neophobia, nē-ō-fō′bi-a, n. dread of novelty. [Gr. neos, new, phobia—phebesthai, to fear.]

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Neophron

Neophron, nē′ō-fron, n. a genus of vultures, having horizontal nostrils. [Gr.,—neos, new, phren, mind.]

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Neophyte

Neophyte, nē′ō-fīt, n. a new convert, one newly baptised or admitted to the priesthood, or to a monastery, a novice: a tyro or beginner.—adj. newly admitted or entered on office.—n. Nē′ophytism. [L. neophytus—Gr. neos, n

English · e-38699-204

Neoplasm

Neoplasm, nē′ō-plazm, n. a morbid new growth or formation of tissue.—adj. Neoplas′tic.

English · e-38699-205 · brief source record

Neoplatonism

Neoplatonism, nē-ō-plā′to-nizm, n. a system of philosophy combining Platonic and Oriental elements, originating with Ammonius Saccas at Alexandria in the 3d century, developed by Plotinus, Porphyry, Proclus, &c.—adj. Neo

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Neoteric

Neoteric, -al, nē-ō-ter′ik, -al, adj. of recent origin, modern.—v.i. Neot′erise.—n. Neot′erism, the introduction of new things, esp. new words. [Gr.,—neōteros, comp. of neos, new.]

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Neotic

Neotic, nē-ot′ik, adj. addressed to the understanding.

English · e-38699-208 · brief source record

Neotropical

Neotropical, nē-ō-trop′i-kal, adj. applied to the part of the New World including tropical and South America and the adjacent islands.

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Neozoic

Neozoic, nē-ō-zō′ik, adj. denoting all rocks from the Trias down to the most recent formations, as opposed to Palæozoic. [Gr. neos, new, zoē, life.]

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Nep

Nep, nep, n. (prov.) a knot in a fibre of cotton.

English · e-38699-211 · brief source record

Nepenthes

Nepenthes, ne-pen′thēz, n. (med.) a drug that relieves pain—also Nepen′the: a genus of plants having a cup or pitcher attached to the leaf, often filled with a sweetish liquid, the pitcher-plant. [Gr.,—nē, neg., penthos,

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