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, &c.: anything sharp and pointed, like a pinnacle of rock, &c.: an aciform crystal: a temporary support used by builders to sustain while repairing, being a strong beam resting on props: the long, narrow, needle-like leaf of a pine-tree.—v.t.to form into a shape like a needle, as crystals: to work with a needle.—v.i.to become of the shape of needles, as crystals.—ns.Need′le-book, a number of pieces of cloth, leather, &c. arranged like a book, for holding needles;Need′le-case, a case for holding needles;Need′le-fish, a pipe-fish: a garfish or belonid;Need′leful, as much thread as fills a needle;Need′le-gun, a gun or rifle loaded at the breech, the cartridge of which is exploded by the impact of a needle or spike at its base.—adjs.Need′le-point′ed, pointed like a needle: without a barb, as a fish-hook;Need′le-shaped, shaped like a needle: applied to the long, slender, sharp-pointed leaves of pines, firs, and other trees.—ns.Need′le-tel′egraph, a telegraph the receiver of which gives its messages by the deflections of a magnetic needle;Need′lewoman, a woman who makes her living by her needle, a seamstress;Need′lework, work done with a needle: the business of a seamstress.—adj.Need′ly, thorny. [A.S.nǽdl; Ger.nadel; cog. with Ger.nähen, to sew, L.nēre, to spin.]
Neep, a Scotch form ofturnip.
Ne'er, nār,adv.contr. ofnever.—adj.andn.Ne'er′-do-well, past all well-doing: one who is good for nothing.
Neese, nēz,v.i.an old form ofsneeze.—n.Nees′ing, sneezing.
Nef, nef,n.a cadenas.
Nefandous, nē-fan′dus,adj.bad to execration, abominable. [L.,—ne, not,fandus,fāri, to speak.]
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. fromfāri, to speak.]
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.]
Negative, neg′a-tiv,adj.that denies or refuses—opp. toAffirmative: implying absence: that stops, hinders, neutralises—opp. toPositive: in photography, exhibiting the reverse, as dark for light, light for dark: (logic) denying the connection between a subject and a predicate: (algebra) noting a quantity to be subtracted.—n.a word or statement by which something is denied: the right or act of saying 'no,' or of refusing assent: the side of a question or the decision which denies what is affirmed: in photography, an image on glass or other medium, in which the lights and shades are the opposite of those in nature, used for printing positive impressions from on paper, &c.: (gram.) a word that denies.—v.t.to prove the contrary: to reject by vote.—adv.Neg′atively.—ns.Neg′ativeness,Neg′ativism,Negativ′ity.—adj.Neg′atory, expressing denial.—Negative bath, a silver solution in which photographic negatives are placed to be sensitised;Negative electricity, electricity with a relatively low potential, electricity such as is developed by rubbing resinous bodies with flannel, opposite to that obtained by rubbing glass;Negative quantity(math.), a quantity with aminussign ( - ) before it, indicating that it is either to be subtracted, or reckoned in an opposite direction from some other with aplussign;Negative sign, the sign ( - orminus) of subtraction. [L.negativus—negāre, to deny.]
Negātur,v.it is denied. [L., 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. pass. ofnegāre, to deny.]
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, careless: accustomed to omit or neglect things: slighting.—adv.Neglect′fully.—n.Neglect′fulness.—adj.Neglect′ible.—adv.Neglect′ingly, carelessly: heedlessly. [L.negligĕre,neglectum—nec, not,legĕre, to gather.]
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. ofnégligé—négliger, to neglect.]
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 care for the interests of others as the law may require—(Shak.)Neglec′tion.—adj.Neg′ligent, neglecting: careless: inattentive: disregarding ceremony or fashion.—adv.Neg′ligently.—adj.Neg′ligible.—adv.Neg′ligibly. [Fr.,—L.negligentia—negligens,-entis, pr.p. ofnegligĕre, to neglect.]
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.
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 original holder: to pass, as a bill: to sell.—ns.Negotiā′tion, act of negotiating: the treating with another on business;Negō′tiator;Negō′tiatrix.—adj.Negotiā′tory, of or pertaining to negotiation. [L.negotiāri,-ātus—negotium, business—nec, not,otium, leisure.]
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—alsoAëtasorItas: in a wider sense, the Papuans and all the Melanesian peoples of Polynesia.
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, the name given in the West Indies to the plant durra or Indian millet;Nē′grohead, tobacco soaked in molasses and pressed into cakes, so called from its blackness.—adj.Nē′groid.—n.Nē′grōism, any peculiarity of speech noticeable among negroes, esp. in the southern United States. [Sp.negro—L.niger, black.]
Negus, nē′gus,n.a beverage of either port or sherry with hot water, sweetened and spiced. [Said to be so called from ColonelNegus, its first maker, in the reign of Queen Anne.]
Negus, nē′gus,n.the title of the kings of Abyssinia.
Neif, nēf,n.(Shak.) the fist.
Neigh, nā,v.i.to utter the cry of a horse:—pr.p.neigh′ing;pa.t.andpa.p. neighed (nād).—n.the cry of a horse—(Scot.)Nich′er. [A.S.hnǽgan; Ice.hneggja.]
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 being neighbours, kindly feeling: adjoining district or the people living in it: a district generally, esp. with reference to its inhabitants.—adj.Neigh′bouring, being near: adjoining.—n.Neigh′bourliness.—adjs.Neigh′bourly, like or becoming a neighbour: friendly: social—alsoadv.;Neigh′bour-stained(Shak.), stained with neighbours' blood. [A.S.neáhbúr,neáhgebúr—A.S.neáh, near,gebúrorbúr, a farmer.]
Neist, nēst, a dialectic form ofnext.
Neither, nē′thėr, ornī′thėr,adj.andpron.not either.—conj.not either: and not: nor yet.—adv.not at all: in no case. [A.S.náther, náwther, abbrev. ofnáhwæther—ne, not,áhwæther,áwther, either.]
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.
Nelumbo, nē-lum′bō,n.a genus of water-lilies including theEgyptian Beanof Pythagoras, and the HinduLotus.—AlsoNelum′bium. [Ceylon name.]
Nemalite, nem′a-līt,n.a fibrous hydrate of magnesia. [Gr.nēma, a thread,lithos, a stone.]
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.]
Nemathelminthes, nem-a-thel-min′thez,n.pl.a name applied to the thread-worms or nematodes (asAscaris,Guinea-worm,Trichina), to the somewhat distinctGordiidæorhair-eels, and to the more remotely alliedAcanthocephalaorEchinorhynchus.—AlsoNemathelmin′tha.—adjs.Nemathel′minth,-ic. [Gr.nēma, a thread,helmins,-minthos, worm.]
Nematocerous, nem-a-tos′e-rus,adj.having long thready antennæ, as a dipterous insect. [Gr.nēma, a thread,keras, a horn.]
Nematocyst, nem′a-tō-sist,n.a cnida, one of the offensive organs of Cœlenterates, as jellyfish. [Gr.nēma, a thread,kystis, a bladder.]
Nematoid, nem′a-toid,adj.thread-like—alsoNem′atode.—n.pl.Nematoi′dea, a class of Vermes, with mouth, alimentary canal, and separate sexes, usually parasitic. [Gr.nēma, thread,eidos, form.]
Nemean, nē′mē-an,adj.pertaining toNemea, a valley of Argolis in the Peloponnesus, famous for its public games held in the second and fourth of each Olympiad.
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 name.]
Nemesis, nem′e-sis,n.(myth.) the goddess of vengeance: retributive justice.—adj.Nemes′ic. [Gr.,—nemein, to distribute.]
Nemo, nē′mo,n.nobody: a nobody. [L.]
Nemocerous, nē-mos′e-rus,adj.having filamentous antennæ.
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.]
Nempt, nemt (Spens.), named, called.
Nenuphar, nen′ū-far,n.the great white water-lily. [Fr.,—Ar.]
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, who think they have outgrown Keble and Pusey and the great Caroline divines, and are more noisy than intelligent in their avowal of preference for Roman doctrine, ritual, and discipline.
Neo-Christian, nē-ō-kris′tyan,adj.andn.of or pertaining to so-calledNeo-Christianity, which merely means old Rationalism.
Neocomian, nē-ō-kō′mi-an,adj.andn.(geol.) of or pertaining to the lower division of the Cretaceous system, including the Lower Greensand and the Wealden of English geologists. [Græcised fromNeuchâtel, near which is its typical region; Gr.neos, new,kōmē, a village.]
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.]
Neocracy, nē-ok′ra-si,n.government by upstarts.
Neogamist, nē-og′a-mist,n.a person recently married.
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.
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.
Neo-Kantian, nē-ō-kan′ti-an,adj.pertaining to the philosophy ofKantas taught by his successors.
Neo-Latin, nē-ō-lat′in,n.Latin as written by modern writers: new Latin, as in the Romance languages sprung from the Latin.
Neolite, nē′ō-līt,n.a dark-green silicate of aluminium and magnesium. [Gr.neos, new,lithos, a stone.]
Neolithic, nē-ō-lith′ik,adj.applied to the more recent implements of the stone age—opp. toPalæolithic. [Gr.neos, new,lithos, a stone.]
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 words.—adv.Neolog′ically.—v.i.Neol′ogise, to introduce new words or doctrines.—ns.Neol′ogism, a new word, phrase, or doctrine: the use of old words in a new sense;Neol′ogist, one who introduces new words or senses: one who introduces new doctrines in theology.—adjs.Neologis′tic,-al. [Gr.neos, new,logos, word.]
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.]
Neonomous, nē-on′o-mus,adj.having a greatly modified biological structure, specialised according to recent conditions of environment. [Gr.neos, new,nomos, law.]
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.]
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.
Neophobia, nē-ō-fō′bi-a,n.dread of novelty. [Gr.neos, new,phobia—phebesthai, to fear.]
Neophron, nē′ō-fron,n.a genus of vultures, having horizontal nostrils. [Gr.,—neos, new,phren, mind.]
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, new,phytos, grown—phyein, to produce.]
Neoplasm, nē′ō-plazm,n.a morbid new growth or formation of tissue.—adj.Neoplas′tic.
Neoplatonism, nē-ō-plā′to-nizm,n.a system of philosophy combiningPlatonicand Oriental elements, originating with Ammonius Saccas at Alexandria in the 3d century, developed by Plotinus, Porphyry, Proclus, &c.—adj.Neoplaton′ic.—n.Neoplā′tonist.
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. ofneos, new.]
Neotic, nē-ot′ik,adj.addressed to the understanding.
Neotropical, nē-ō-trop′i-kal,adj.applied to the part of the New World including tropical and South America and the adjacent islands.
Neozoic, nē-ō-zō′ik,adj.denoting all rocks from the Trias down to the most recent formations, as opposed toPalæozoic. [Gr.neos, new,zoē, life.]
Nep, nep,n.(prov.) a knot in a fibre of cotton.
Nepenthes, ne-pen′thēz,n.(med.) a drug that relieves pain—alsoNepen′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, grief.]
Nephalism, nef′a-lizm,n.total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.—n.Neph′alist, a bigoted teetotaler. [Gr.nēphalios, sober;nēphein, to be sober.]
Nepheline, nef′e-lin,n.a rock-forming mineral, colourless, usually crystallising in hexagonal prisms, occurring in various volcanic rocks, as in certain basalts. [Gr.nephelē, a cloud.]
Nepheloid, nef′e-loid,adj.cloudy, turbid.—ns.Nephelom′eter, a supposititious instrument for measuring cloudiness;Neph′eloscope, an apparatus for illustrating the formation of cloud;Neph′elosphere, an atmosphere of cloud surrounding a planet, &c. [Gr.nephelē, cloud.]
Nephew, nev′ū, or nef′ū,n.the son of a brother or sister: (orig.) a grandson (so in New Test.):—fem.Niece. [O. Fr.neveu—L.nepos,nepotis, grandson, nephew; A.S.nefa, Ger.neffe, nephew.]
Nephralgia, ne-fral′ji-a,n.pain or disease of the kidneys—alsoNephral′gy.—ns.Neph′rite, a mineral usually calledJade, an old charm against kidney disease;Nephrit′ic, a medicine for the cure of diseases of the kidneys.—adjs.Nephrit′ic,-al, pertaining to the kidneys: affected with a disease of the kidneys: relieving diseases of the kidneys.—ns.Nephrī′tis, inflammation of the kidneys;Neph′rocele, hernia of the kidney;Nephrog′raphy, a description of the kidneys.—adj.Neph′roid, kidney-shaped.—ns.Nephrol′ogy, scientific knowledge of the kidneys;Nephrot′omy, the operation of excising the kidneys. [Gr.nephros, a kidney,algos, pain.]
Nepotism, nep′o-tizm,n.undue favouritism to one's relations, as in the bestowal of patronage.—adjs.Nepot′ic,Nepō′tious.—n.Nep′otist, one who practises nepotism. [L.nepos,nepotis, a grandson.]
Neptune, nep′tūn,n.(Rom. myth.) the god of the sea, identified with the Greek Poseidon, represented with a trident in his hand: (astron.) the outermost planet of the solar system, discovered in 1846.—adj.Neptū′nian, pertaining to the sea: (geol.) formed by water: applied to stratified rocks or to those due mainly to the agency of water, as opposed toPlutonicorIgneous.—n.Nep′tūnist, one who holds the Neptunian theory in geology—alsoadj.[L.Neptunus.]
Nereid, nē′rē-id,n.(Gr. myth.) a sea-nymph, one of the daughters of the sea-godNereus, who attended Neptune riding on sea-horses: (zool.) a genus of marine worms like long myriapods.—ns.Nē′rēis, a nereid;Nē′rēite, a fossil annelid related to the nereids. [L.,—Gr.]
Nerine, nē-rī′nē,n.a genus of ornamental South African plants of the Amaryllis family, with scarlet or rose-coloured flowers.—The Guernsey Lily is theNerine Sarniensis.
Nerite, nē′rīt,n.a gasteropod of the genusNeritaor the familyNeritidæ.—adj.Neritā′cean.
Nerium, nē′ri-um,n.a genus of Mediterranean shrubs, with fragrant and showy pink, white, or yellowish flowers, the oleander.
Nero, nē′ro,n.the last emperor of the family of the Cæsars, at Rome (54-68A.D.): any cruel and wicked tyrant.—adj.Nerō′nian.
Nero-antico, nā-rō-an-tē′ko,n.a deep-black marble found in Roman ruins. [It.]
Nerve, nėrv,n.bodily strength, firmness, courage: (anat.) one of the fibres which convey sensation from all parts of the body to the brain: (bot.) one of the fibres or ribs in the leaves of plants: a trade term for a non-porous quality of cork, slightly charred: (pl.) hysterical nervousness.—v.t.to give strength or vigour to: to arm with force.—adj.Nerv′al.—ns.Nervā′tion, the arrangement or distribution of nerves, esp. those of leaves;Nerve′-cell, any cell forming part of the nervous system, esp. one of those by means of which nerve-fibres are connected with each other;Nerve′-cen′tre, a collection of nerve-cells from which nerves branch out.—adj.Nerved, furnished with nerves, or with nerves of a special character, as 'strong-nerved.'—n.Nerve′-fī′bre, one of the essential thread-like units of which a nerve is composed.—adj.Nerve′less, without strength.—n.Nerve′lessness.—adj.Nerv′ine, acting on the nerves: quieting nervous excitement.—n.a medicine that soothes nervous excitement.—adjs.Nerv′ous, having nerve: sinewy: strong, vigorous, showing strength and vigour: pertaining to the nerves: having the nerves easily excited or weak;Nerv′ous,Nervose′,Nerved(bot.) having parallel fibres or veins.—adv.Nerv′ously.—n.Nerv′ousness.—adj.Nerv′ūlar.—ns.Nerv′ūle, a small nerve, a small vein of an insect's wing—alsoNervulet,Veinlet,Venule;Nerv′ure, one of the nerves or veins of leaves: one of the horny tubes or divisions which expand the wings of insects: one of the ribs in a groined vault: a projecting moulding.—adj.Nerv′y, strong, vigorous.—Nervous system(anat.), the brain, spinal cord, and nerves collectively: the whole of the nerves and nerve-centres of the body considered as related to each other, and fitted to act together. [Fr.,—L.nervus; Gr.neuron, a sinew.]
Nescience, nesh′ens,n.want of knowledge.—adj.Nesc′ient. [L.nescientia—nescīre, to be ignorant—ne, not,scīre, to know.]
Nesh, nesh,adj.(prov.) soft, crumbly: tender.—v.t.Nesh′en, to make tender.
Neshamah, nesh′a-mä,n.the highest degree of the soul in the cabbalistic system.
Nesiote, nē′si-ōt,adj.insular. [Gr.nēsos, an island.]
Neski, nes′ki,n.the cursive hand generally used in Arabic.—AlsoNesh′ki. [Ar.]
Nesogæan, nē-sō-jē′an,adj.pertaining to Nesogæa—Polynesia or Oceania, New Zealand excepted, with regard to the distribution of its animals. [Gr.nēsos, an island,gaia, the earth.]
Ness, nes,n.a promontory or headland. [A.S.næss; a doublet ofnaze, prob. conn. withnose.]
Nest, nest,n.the bed formed by a bird for hatching her young: the place in which the eggs of any animal are laid and hatched: a comfortable residence: a number of persons haunting one place for a bad purpose: the place itself: a number of baskets or boxes each fitting inside the next larger.—v.t.to form a nest for.—v.i.to build and occupy a nest.—n.Nest′-egg, an egg left in the nest to keep the hen from forsaking it: something laid up as the beginning of an accumulation.—Feather one's nest, to provide for one's self, esp. from other people's property of which one has had charge. [A.S.nest; Ger.nest, L.nīdus.]
Nestle, nes′l,v.i.to lie close or snug as in a nest: to settle comfortably.—v.t.to cherish, as a bird does her young.—adj.Nest′ling, being in the nest, newly hatched.—n.act of making a nest: a young bird in the nest—alsoNest′ler. [A.S.nestlian—nest.]
Nestor, nes′tor,n.a Greek hero at Troy, remarkable for eloquence and wisdom gained through long life and varied experience: any one who possesses those qualities, a counsellor, adviser.—adj.Nestō′rian.
Nestorian, nes-tō′ri-an,adj.pertaining to the Christological doctrine ofNestorius, patriarch of Constantinople from 428 to his condemnation and deposition at the general council of Ephesus in 431; he held the true divinity and humanity of Christ, but denied their union in a single self-conscious personality, that union being merely moral or sympathetic—thus the personality was broken up into a duality.—n.a follower of Nestorius.—n.Nestō′rianism.
Net, net,n.an open fabric of twine, &c., knotted into meshes for catching birds, fishes, &c.: anything like a net for keeping out insects, &c.: a meshed bag for holding a woman's hair: machine-made lace of various kinds: a snare: a difficulty.—adj.made of netting or resembling it, reticulate: caught in a net.—v.t.to form into network: to take with a net: to protect with a net, to veil.—v.i.to form network:—pr.p.net′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.net′ted.—ns.Net′-fish, any fish, like the herring, caught in nets—opp. toTrawl-fishandLine-fish;Net′-fish′ery, a place for net-fishing, the business of such fishing;Net′-fish′ing, the method or the industry of fishing with nets.—p.adj.Net′ted, made into a net, reticulated: caught in a net.—ns.Net′ting, act or process of forming network: a piece of network: any network of ropes or wire, esp. for use on shipboard;Net′ting-need′le, a kind of shuttle used in netting.—adjs.Net′ty, like a net;Net′-veined, in entomology, having a great number of veins or nervures like a network on the surface, as in the wings of many Orthoptera;Net′-winged, having net-veined wings.—n.Net′work, any work showing cross lines or open spaces like the meshes of a net. [A.S.net,nett; Dut.net, Ger.netz.]
Net,Nett, net,adj.clear of all charges or deductions—opp. toGross: lowest, subject to no further deductions.—v.t.to produce as clear profit:—pr.p.net′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.net′ted.[Neat.]
Nethelesse, neth′les,adv.=Nathless.
Nether, neth′ėr,adj.beneath another, lower: infernal.—n.Neth′erlander, an inhabitant of Holland.—adj.Neth′erlandish, Dutch.—n.pl.Neth′erlings, stockings.—adjs.Neth′ermore, lower;Neth′ermost, lowest.—n.pl.Neth′erstocks(Shak.), short stockings or half-hose for the leg, as distinguished from trunk hose for the thigh.—advs.Neth′erward,-s, downward. [A.S.neothera, a comp. adj. due to adv.nither, downward; Ger.nieder, low.]
Nethinim, neth′in-im,n.pl.(B.) servants of the old Jewish temple, set apart to assist the Levites. [Heb.]
Netsuke, net′su-kā,n.a small toggle or button, carved or inlaid, on Japanese pipe-cases, pouches, &c.
Nettle, net′l,n.a common plant covered with hairs which sting sharply.—v.t.to fret, as a nettle does the skin: to irritate.—ns.Nett′le-cloth, thick japanned cotton cloth used for leather;Nett′le-fish, a jelly-fish, sea-nettle;Nett′lerash, a kind of fever characterised by a rash or eruption on the skin;Nett′le-tree, a genus of trees, with simple and generally serrated leaves, the fruit a fleshy, globose, one-celled drupe;Nett′le-wort, any plant of the nettle family. [A.S.netele; Ger.nessel.]
Nettling, net′ling,n.the joining of two ropes, end to end, without seam: the tying in pairs of yarns in a ropewalk to prevent tangling. [Knittle.]
Neume, nūm,n.a succession of notes to be sung to one syllable, a sequence: an old sign for a tone or a phrase. [O. Fr.,—Gr.pneuma, breath.]
Neural, nū′ral,adj.pertaining to the nerves—alsoNeur′ic.—ns.Neuric′ity, nerve-force;Neuril′ity, the function of the nervous system—that of conducting stimuli.—Neural arch, the arch of a vertebra protecting the spinal cord. [Gr.neuron, a nerve.]
Neuralgia, nū-ral′ji-a,n.pain of a purely nervous character, occurring in paroxysms, usually unaccompanied by inflammation, fever, or any appreciable change of structure in the affected part—(obs.)Neural′gy.—adjs.Neural′gic,Neural′giform. [Gr.neuron, nerve,algos, pain.]
Neurasthenia, nū-ras-the-nī′a,n.nervous debility.—adj.Neurasthen′ic—alson.one suffering from this. [Gr.neuron, a nerve,astheneia, weakness.]
Neuration, nū-rā′shun,n.Same asNervation.
Neurilemma, nū-ri-lem′a,n.the external sheath of a nerve-fibre.
Neuritis, nū-rī′tis,n.inflammation of a nerve.
Neurohypnology, nū-rō-hip-nol′o-ji,n.the study of hypnotism: the means employed for inducing the hypnotic state.—ns.Neurohypnol′ogist;Neurohyp′notism, hypnotism. [Gr.neuron, nerve,hypnos, sleep,logia, discourse.]
Neurology, nū-rol′o-ji,n.the science of the nerves.—adj.Neurolog′ical.—n.Neurol′ogist, a writer on neurology. [Gr.neuron, nerve,logia, science.]
Neuron, nū′ron,n.the cerebro-spinal axis in its entirety: a nervure of an insect's wing.
Neuropath, nū′ro-path,n.one who takes nervous conditions solely or mostly into account in his pathology.—adjs.Neuropath′ic,-al.—adv.Neuropath′ically.—ns.Neuropathol′ogy, the sum of knowledge of the diseases of the nervous system;Neurop′athy, nervous disease generally. [Gr.neuron, nerve,pathos, suffering.]
Neuroptera, nū-rop′tėr-a,n.pl.an order of insects which have generally four wings marked with a network of many nerves:—sing.Neurop′teron; alsoNeurop′ter,Neurop′teran.—adjs.Neurop′teral,Neurop′terous, nerve-winged. [Gr.neuron, nerve,ptera, pl. ofpteron, a wing.]
Neurose, nū′rōs,adj.nerved: having many nervures or veins, of an insect's wing, &c.
Neurotic, nū-rot′ik,adj.relating to, or seated in, the nerves.—n.a disease of the nerves: a medicine useful for diseases of the nerves.—adj.Neurō′sal.—n.Neurō′sis, a nervous disease, esp. without lesion of parts, as epilepsy, &c.
Neurotomy, nū-rot′om-i,n.the cutting or dissection of a nerve.—adj.Neurotom′ical. [Gr.neuron, a nerve,tomē, cutting.]
Neurotonic, nū-ro-ton′ik,n.a medicine intended to strengthen the nervous system.
Neuter, nū′tėr,adj.neither: taking no part with either side: (gram.) neither masculine nor feminine: neither active nor passive: (bot.) without stamens or pistils: (zool.) without sex.—n.one taking no part in a contest: (bot.) a plant having neither stamens nor pistils: (zool.) a sexless animal, esp. the working bee. [L., 'neither'—ne, not,uter, either.]
Neutral, nū′tral,adj.being neuter, indifferent: taking no part on either side: unbiassed: neither very good nor very bad, of no decided character: having no decided colour, bluish or grayish: (chem.) neither acid nor alkaline.—n.a person or nation that takes no part in a contest.—n.Neutralisā′tion.—v.t.Neu′tralise, to declare by convention any nation permanently neutral or neutral during certain hostilities: to make inert: to render of no effect.—ns.Neu′traliser;Neutral′ity, state of taking no part on either of two sides: those who are neutral.—adv.Neu′trally.—Neutral tint, a dull grayish colour;Neutral vowel, the vowel-sound heard inbut,firm,her, &c., and commonly in unaccented syllables.—Armed neutrality, the condition of a neutral power ready to repel aggression from either belligerent. [L.neutralis—neuter, neither.]
Névé, nā-vā′,n.the same asfirnorglacier snow. [Fr.,—L.nix,nivis, snow.]
Nevel, nev′el,v.t.(Scot.) to beat with the fists.
Never, nev′ėr,adv.not ever: at no time: in no degree: not.—adv.Nev′ermore, at no future time.—conj.Nevertheless′, notwithstanding: in spite of that (earlierNatheless).—adv.Neverthemore′(Spens.), none the more. [A.S.nǽfre—ne, not,ǽfre, ever.]
New, nū,adj.lately made: having happened lately: recent, modern: not before seen or known: strange, different: recently commenced: changed for the better: not of an ancient family: as at first: unaccustomed: fresh from anything: uncultivated or only recently cultivated.—adjs.New′born(Shak.), recently born;New′come, recently arrived.—n.New′-com′er, one who has lately come.—v.t.New′-create′(Shak.), to create for the first time.—adjs.New′-fash′ioned, made in a new way or fashion: lately come into fashion;New′-fledged, having just got feathers;New′ish, somewhat new: nearly new.—adv.New′ly.—adj.New′-made(Shak.), recently made.—v.t.New′-mod′el, to model or form anew.—n.the Parliamentary army as remodelled by Cromwell after the second battle of Newbury, which gained a conclusive victory at Naseby (1645).—n.New′ness.—adj.New′-sad(Shak.), recently made sad.—New birth(seeRegeneration);New chum, a new arrival from the old country in Australia;New Church,New Jerusalem Church, the Swedenborgian Church;New Covenant(seeCovenant);New departure(seeDeparture);New Englander, a native or resident in any of the New England states;New Jerusalem, the heavenly city;New Learning(seeRenaissance);New Light, a member of a relatively more advanced religious school—applied esp. to the party within the 18th-century Scottish Secession Church which adopted Voluntary views of the relations of Church and State, also sometimes to the Socinianising party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, &c.;New Red Sandstone(geol.), the name formerly given to the great series of red sandstones which occur between the Carboniferous and Jurassic systems;New style(seeStyle);New woman, a name humorously applied to such modern women as rebel against the conventional restrictions of their sex, and ape men in their freedom, education, pursuits, amusements, clothing, manners, and sometimes morals;New World, North and South America;New-year's Day, the first day of the new year. [A.S.níwe,neówe; Ger.neu, Ir.nuadh, L.novus, Gr.neos.]
Newel, nū′el,n.(archit.) the upright column about which the steps of a circular staircase wind. [O. Fr.nual(Fr.noyau), stone of fruit—Low L.nucalis, like a nut—L.nux,nucis, a nut.]
Newel, nū′el,n.(Spens.) a new thing: a novelty.
Newfangled, nū-fang′gld,adj.fond of new things: newly devised, novel.—adv.Newfang′ledly.—ns.Newfang′ledness,Newfang′leness. [Corr. from M. E.newefangel—newe(A.S.níwe), new,fangel(A.S.fangen—fón), ready to catch.]
Newfoundland, nū-fownd′land,n.a large dog of great intelligence, a strong swimmer, black without any white markings, first brought fromNewfoundland.
Newgate, nū′gāt,n.a famous prison in London.—Newgate Calendar, a list of Newgate prisoners, with their crimes;Newgate frill, orfringe, a beard under the chin and jaw.
Newmarket, nū′mar-ket,n.a card-game for any number of persons, on a table on which duplicates of certain cards have been placed face up: a close-fitting coat, originally a riding-coat, a long close-fitting coat for women.
News, nūz,n.sing.something heard of that is new: recent account: first information of something that has just happened or of something not formerly known: intelligence.—v.t.to report.—ns.News′agent, one who deals in newspapers;News′boy,News′man, a boy or man who delivers or sells newspapers;News′-house, a printing-office for newspapers only;News′letter, an occasional letter or printed sheet containing news, the predecessor of the regular newspaper;News′monger, one who deals in news: one who spends much time in hearing and telling news;News′paper, a paper published periodically for circulating news, &c.—the first English newspaper was published in 1622;News′paperdom;News′paperism.—adj.News′papery, superficial.—ns.News′room, a room where newspapers, magazines, &c. lie to be read;News′vender, a seller of newspapers;News′-writ′er, a reporter or writer of news.—adj.News′y, gossipy. [Late M. E., an imit. of Fr.nouvelles.]
Newt, nūt,n.a genus of amphibious animals like small lizards. [Formed with initialn, borrowed from the articlean, fromewt—A.S.efeta.]
Newtonian, nū-tō′ni-an,adj.relating to, formed, or discovered by Sir IsaacNewton, the celebrated philosopher (1642-1727)—alsoNewton′ic.—Newtonian telescope, a form of reflecting telescope.
Next, nekst,adj.(superl.ofNigh) nearest in place, time, &c.—adv.nearest or immediately after.—prep.nearest to.—n.Next′ness.—Next door to(seeDoor);Next to nothing, almost nothing at all. [A.S.néhst, superl. ofnéh,neáh, near; Ger.nächst.]
Nexus, nek′sus,n.a tie, connecting principle, bond: (Rom. law) a person who had contracted anexumor obligation of such a kind that, if he failed to pay, his creditor could compel him to serve until the debt was paid. [L.—nectĕre, to bind.]
Nib, nib,n.something small and pointed: a point, esp. of a pen: the bill of a bird: the handle of a scythe-snath.—v.t.to furnish with a nib: to point.—adj.Nibbed, having a nib. [Neb.]
Nibble, nib′l,v.t.to bite by small bits: to eat by little at a time.—v.i.to bite gently: to find fault.—n.act of nibbling: a little bit.—ns.Nibb′ler;Nibb′ling.—adv.Nibb′lingly. [Freq. ofnip.]
Nibelungen, nē′bel-ōōng-en,n.pl.a supernatural race in German mythology guarding a treasure wrested from them by Siegfried, the hero of theNibelungenlied, an epic ofc.1190-1210.
Niblick, nib′lik,n.a golf-club with cup-shaped head.
Nice, nīs,adj.foolishly simple: over-particular: hard to please: fastidious: marking or taking notice of very small differences: done with great care and exactness, accurate: easily injured: delicate: dainty: agreeable: delightful.—adv.Nice′ly.—ns.Nice′ness, quality of being nice: exactness: scrupulousness: pleasantness;Nic′ety, quality of being nice: delicate management: exactness of treatment: fineness of perception: fastidiousness: that which is delicate to the taste: a delicacy.—To a nicety, with great exactness. [O. Fr.nice, foolish, simple—L.nescius, ignorant—ne, not,scīre, to know.]
Nicene, nī′sēn,adj.pertaining to the town ofNiceorNicæa, in Bithynia, Asia Minor, where an ecumenical council was held in 325 for the purpose of defining the questions raised in the Arian controversy—it promulgated theNicene Creed. A second council, the seventh general council, held here in 787, condemned the Iconoclasts.