The Project Gutenberg eBook ofChambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)Editor: Thomas DavidsonRelease date: January 28, 2012 [eBook #38699]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Colin Bell, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY (PART 3 OF 4: N-R) ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)Editor: Thomas DavidsonRelease date: January 28, 2012 [eBook #38699]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Colin Bell, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Title: Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)
Editor: Thomas Davidson
Editor: Thomas Davidson
Release date: January 28, 2012 [eBook #38699]Most recently updated: January 8, 2021
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Colin Bell, Keith Edkins and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S TWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARY (PART 3 OF 4: N-R) ***
CHAMBERS'STWENTIETH CENTURY DICTIONARYOF THEENGLISH LANGUAGE
PRONOUNCING, EXPLANATORY, ETYMOLOGICAL, WITH COMPOUND PHRASES,TECHNICAL TERMS IN USE IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES,COLLOQUIALISMS, FULL APPENDICES, ANDCOPIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED
EDITED BYRev.THOMAS DAVIDSONASSISTANT-EDITOR OF 'CHAMBERS'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA'EDITOR OF 'CHAMBERS'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY'
London:47 Paternoster RowW. & R. CHAMBERS,LimitedEDINBURGH: 339 High Street1908
The Arrangement of the Words.—Every word is given in itsalphabeticalorder, except in cases where, to save space, derivatives are given after and under the words from which they are derived. Each uncompounded verb has its participles, when irregular, placed after it. Exceptional plurals are also given. When a word stands after another, with no meaning given, its meanings can be at once formed from those of the latter, by adding the signification of the affix: thus the meanings ofDarknessare obtained by prefixing the meaning ofness,state of being, to those ofDark.
Many words from French and other tongues, current in English usage, but not yet fairly Anglicised, are inserted in the list of Foreign Phrases, &c., at the end, rather than in the body of the Dictionary.
The Pronunciation.—The Pronunciation is given immediately after each word, by the word being spelled anew. In this new spelling, every consonant used has its ordinary unvarying sound,no consonant being employed that has more than one sound. The same sounds are always represented by the same letters, no matter how varied their actual spelling in the language. No consonant used has any mark attached to it, with the one exception ofth, which is printed in common letters when sounded as inthick, but in italics when sounded as inthen.Unmarked vowelshave always their short sounds, as inlad,led,lid,lot,but,book. Themarked vowelsare shown in the following line, which is printed at the top of each page:—
The voweluwhen marked thus,ü, has the sound heard in Scotchbluid,gude, the Frenchdu, almost that of the GermanüinMüller. Where more than one pronunciation of a word is given, that which is placed first is more accepted.
The Spelling.—When more than one form of a word is given, that which is placed first is the spelling in current English use. Unfortunately our modern spelling does not represent the English we actually speak, but rather the language of the 16th century, up to which period, generally speaking, English spelling was mainly phonetic, like the present German. The fundamental principle of all rational spelling is no doubt the representation of every sound by an invariable symbol, but in modern English the usage of pronunciation has drifted far from the conventional forms established by a traditional orthography, with the result that the present spelling of our written speech is to a large extent a mere exercise of memory, full of confusing anomalies and imperfections, and involving an enormous and unnecessary strain on the faculties of learners. Spelling reform is indeed an imperative necessity, but it must proceed with a wise moderation, for, in the words of Mr Sweet, 'nothing can be done without unanimity, and until the majority of the community are convinced of the superiority of some one system unanimity is impossible.' The true path of progress should follow such wisely moderate counsels as those of Dr J. A. H. Murray:—the dropping of the final or inflexional silente; the restoration of the historical-tafter breath consonants; uniformity in the employment of double consonants, as intraveler, &c.; the discarding ofuein words likedemagogueandcatalogue; the uniform levelling of the agent-ourinto-or; the making ofea = ĕshort intoeand the longieintoee; the restoration ofsome,come,tongue, to their old English forms,sum,cum,tung; a more extended use ofzin the body of words, aschozen,praize,raize; and the correction of the worst individual monstrosities, asforeign,scent,scythe,ache,debt,people,parliament,court,would,sceptic,phthisis,queue,schedule,twopence-halfpenny,yeoman,sieve,gauge,barque,buoy,yacht, &c.
Already in America a moderate degree of spelling reform may be said to be established in good usage, by the adoption of-orfor-our, ascolor,labor, &c.; of-erfor-re, ascenter,meter, &c.;-izefor-ise, ascivilize, &c.; the use of a uniform single consonant after an unaccented vowel, astravelerfortraveller; the adoption ofeforœoræinhemorrhage,diarrhea, &c.
The Meanings.—The current and most important meaning of a word is usually given first. But in cases likeClerk,Livery,Marshal, where the force of the word can be made much clearer by tracing its history, the original meaning is also given, and the successive variations of its usage defined.
The Etymology.—The Etymology of each word is given after the meanings, within brackets. Where further information regarding a word is given elsewhere, it is so indicated by a reference. It must be noted under the etymology that whenever a word is printed thus,Ban,Base, the student is referred to it; also that here the sign—is always to be read as meaning 'derived from.' Examples are generally given of words that are cognate or correspond to the English words; but it must be remembered that they are inserted merely for illustration. Such words are usually separated from the rest by a semicolon. For instance, when an English word is traced to its Anglo-Saxon form, and then a German word is given, no one should suppose that our English word is derived from the German. German and Anglo-Saxon are alike branches from a common Teutonic stem, and have seldom borrowed from each other. Under each word the force of the prefix is usually given, though not the affix. For fuller explanation in such cases the student is referred to the list of Prefixes and Suffixes in the Appendix.
CHAMBERS'STWENTIETH CENTURYDICTIONARY.
N
the fourteenth letter and eleventh consonant of our alphabet, a nasal-dental: (chem.) the symbol for nitrogen: (math.) an indefinite constant whole number, esp. the degree of a quantic or an equation: as a numeral, formerly,N=90, and (N)=90,000.
Na, nä, a Scotch form ofno.
Nab, nab,v.t.to seize suddenly:—pr.p.nab′bing;pa.p.nabbed. [Sw.nappa; Dan.nappe, to catch.]
Nab, nab,n.a hill-top: the projecting cavity fixed to the jamb of a door to receive the latch or bolt: (obs.) a hat. [Forknab=knap.]
Nabatæan, nab-a-tē′an,adj.of or pertaining to a once powerful Arab people who formerly dwelt on the east and south-east of Palestine, identified by some with theNebaiothof Isa. lx. 7, theNabathitesof 1 Maccab. v. 25.—AlsoNabathē′an.
Nabk, nabk,n.one of the plants in the crown of thorns (Zizyphus Spina-Christi). [Prob. Ar.]
Nabob, nā′bob,n.a deputy or governor under the Mogul Empire: a European who has enriched himself in the East: any man of great wealth. [Corr. of Hind.nawwâb, a deputy, from Ar.nawwāb, pl. (used as sing.) ofnāib, a deputy.]
Nacarat, nak′a-rat,n.a light-red colour, scarlet: a fabric of this colour. [Fr.]
Nacket, nak′et,n.(Scot.) a small cake, luncheon.
Nacre, nā′kr,n.mother-of-pearl.—adj.iridescent.—adj.Nā′creous, consisting of nacre: having a pearly lustre. [Fr.,—Ar.nakīr, hollowed.]
Nadir, nā′dir,n.the point of the heavens diametrically opposite to the zenith: the lowest point of anything. [Fr.,—Ar.nazīr, fromnazara, to be like.]
Nævus, nē′vus,n.a birth-mark: a congenital growth strictly on a part of the skin, whether apigmentary nævusor mole, or avascular naevusor overgrowth of capillary blood-vessels—alsoMother-spotorBirth-mark—alsoNæve,Neve:—pl.Næ′vī.—adjs.Næ′void,Næ′vous,Næ′vose. [L.]
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.]
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.]
Naga, nä′ga,n.the name of deified serpents in Hindu mythology.
Nagari. SeeDeva-nagari.
Naiad, nā′yad,n.a water-nymph or a goddess, presiding over rivers and springs:—pl.Nai′ades. [L. and Gr.naias,naiados, fromnaein, to flow.]
Naiant, nā′yant,adj.floating: (her.) swimming, as a fish placed horizontally across a shield. [L.nans,nantis, pr.p. ofnatāre, to swim.]
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, manner, or speech. [Fr.naïf, fem,naïve—L.nativus, native—nasci,natus, to be born.]
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 of metal for fastening wood: a measure of length (2¼ inches):—v.t.to fasten with nails: to make certain: to confirm, pin down, hold fast: to catch or secure through promptitude; to trip up or expose.—ns.Nail′-brush, a small brush for cleaning the nails;Nail′er, one whose trade is to make nails;Nail′ery, a place where nails are made.—adj.Nail′-head′ed, having a head like that of a nail: formed like nail-heads, said of ornamental marks on cloth and on certain kinds of mouldings (dog-tooth).—n.Nail′-rod, a strip cut from an iron plate to be made into nails: a trade name for a strong kind of manufactured tobacco.—Nail to the counter, to expose publicly as false, from the habit of nailing a counterfeit coin to a shop counter.—Drive a nail in one's coffin(seeCoffin);Hit the nail on the head, to touch the exact point;On the nail, on the spot: immediately: without delay. [A.S.nægel; Ger.nagel.]
Nainsell, nān′sel,n.own self—Highland Scotch.
Nainsook, nān′sōōk,n.a kind of muslin like jaconet, both plain and striped. [Hind.]
Naissant, nās′sant,adj.(her.) rising or coming forth, as an animal newly born or about to be born. [Fr., pr.p. ofnaître—L.nasci,natus, to be born.]
Naïve. SeeNaïf.
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′kedness.—Naked eye, the eye unassisted by glasses of any kind;Naked lady, the meadow-saffron.—Stark naked, entirely naked. [A.S.nacod; Ger.nackt.]
Naker, nā′ker,n.a kettledrum. [O. Fr.,—Ar.]
Nam, nam,n.an obsolete law term for distraint.—n.Namā′tion. [A.S.niman, pa.t.nam, to take.]
Namby-pamby, nam′bi-pam′bi,n.silly talking or writing.—adj.sentimental, affectedly pretty.—v.t.to coddle. [H. Carey's nickname forAmbrosePhilips (1671-1749), from his childish odes to children.]
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: authority: behalf: assumed character of another: (gram.) a noun.—v.t.to give a name to: to designate: to speak of or to call by name: to mention for a post or office: to nominate: to mention formally by name a person in the House of Commons as guilty of disorderly conduct.—adjs.Nam′able,Name′able;Name′less, without a name: undistinguished: indescribable;Name′worthy, distinguished.—adv.Name′lessly.—n.Name′lessness.—adv.Name′ly, by name: that is to say.—ns.Name′-plate, a plate of metal having on it the name of a person, usually affixed to a door or a gate;Nam′er;Name′sake, one bearing the same name as another for his sake.—Name the day, to fix a day, esp. for a marriage.—Call names, to nickname;Christian name(seeChristian);In name of, on behalf of: by the authority of;Proper name, a name given to a particular person, place, or thing;Take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely. [A.S.nama; Ger.name; L.nomen.]
Nancy, nan′si,n.an effeminate young man, often a 'Miss Nancy.'—Nancy Pretty, a corruption ofnone so pretty, theSaxifraga umbrosa.
Nandine, nan′din,n.a small West African paradoxure, with spotted sides.
Nandu,Nandoo, nan′dōō,n.the South American ostrich.
Nanism, nā′nizm,n.dwarfishness.—n.Nanisā′tion, the artificial dwarfing of trees.—adj.Nā′noid. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr.nanos, a dwarf.]
Nankeen, nan-kēn′,n.a buff-coloured cotton cloth first made atNankinin China: (pl.) clothes, esp. breeches, made of nankeen.—AlsoNankin′.
Nanny, nan′i,n.a female goat.—AlsoNann′y-goat.
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.]
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: the same asknop.]
Nap, nap,n.a game of cards—Napoleon(q.v.).
Nap, nap,v.t.to seize, to take hold of, steal.
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.]
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.]
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.Naphthal′ic, pertaining to, or derived from, naphthalene.—v.t.Naph′thalise.—ns.Naph′thol,Naphthyl′amine. [L.,—Gr.,—Ar.naft.]
Napierian, nā-pē′ri-an,adj.pertaining to JohnNapierof Merchiston (1550-1617), the inventor of logarithms.—Napier's bones, orrods, an invention of Napier's for performing mechanically the operations of multiplication and division, by means of sets of rods.
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.]
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.]
Napless, nap′les,adj.without nap: threadbare.
Naples-yellow, nā′plz-yel′lō,n.a light-yellow pigment consisting of antimoniate of lead, originally made in Italy by a secret process.
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.Napoleon′ic, relating toNapoleon I. orIII., the Great or the Little.—ns.Napō′leonism;Napō′leonist.—Go nap, to declare all five tricks—success rewarded by double payment all round.
Nappy, nap′i,adj.heady, strong: tipsy.—n.strong ale. [Prob. fromnap, a sleep.]
Nappy, nap′i,adj.(Scot.) brittle. [Cf.Knap.]
Napron, nap′ron,n.(Spens.) an apron.
Narcissus, nar-sis′us,n.a genus of plants of the Amaryllis family, comprising the daffodils. [L.,—Gr.narkissos—narkē, torpor.]
Narcolepsy, nar′kō-lep-si,n.a nervous disorder marked by frequent short attacks of irresistible drowsiness.
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 organic bases or alkaloids occurring in opium.—v.t.Nar′cotise.—n.Nar′cotism, the influence of narcotics, or the effects produced by their use. [Fr.,—Gr.narkē, torpor.]
Nard, närd,n.an aromatic plant usually calledSpikenard: an ointment prepared from it.—adj.Nard′ine. [Fr.,—L.nardus—Gr.nardos—Pers.nard—Sans.nalada, from Sans.nal, to smell.]
Nardoo, när-dōō′,n.an Australian cryptogamic plant whose spore-cases are eaten by the natives.
Nardus, när′dus,n.a genus of grasses, having but one species,Nardus stricta, mat-grass.
Narghile, när′gi-le,n.an Eastern tobacco-pipe, in which the smoke is passed through water.—AlsoNar′gile,Nar′gileh,Nar′gili. [Pers.]
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.]
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, narrating: giving an account of any occurrence: inclined to narration: story-telling.—n.that which is narrated: a continued account of any occurrence: story.—adv.Narr′atively.—n.Narrā′tor, one who narrates: one who tells or states facts, &c.—adj.Narr′atory, like narrative: consisting of narrative. [Fr.,—L.narrāre,-ātum—gnārus, knowing.]
Narre, när,adj.(Spens.) an older form ofnear.
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 in thepl.) a narrow passage, channel, or strait.—v.t.to make narrow: to contract or confine.—v.i.to become narrow: to reduce the number of stitches in knitting.—adj.Narr′ow-gauge, denoting a railroad of less width than 4 ft. 8½ in.—n.Narr′owing, the act of making less in breadth: the state of being contracted: the part of anything which is made narrower.—adv.Narr′owly.—adj.Narr′ow-mind′ed, of a narrow or illiberal mind.—ns.Narr′ow-mind′edness;Narr′owness.—adjs.Narr′ow-pry′ing(Shak.), scrutinising closely, inquisitive;Narr′ow-souled, illiberal.—Narrow cloth, cloth, esp. woollen, of less than 54 inches in width;Narrow work, in mining, the making of passages, air-shafts, &c. [A.S.nearu; not conn. withnear, but prob. withnerve,snare.]
Narthex, nar′theks,n.a former genus of umbelliferous plants, now included inFerula: a portico or lobby in an early Christian or Oriental church or basilica. [L.,—Gr.,narthēx.]
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).]
Nary, ner′i, a provincial corruption ofne'er a,never a.
Nas, nas, an obsolete corruption ofne has; ofne was.
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.i.Nā′salise, to render nasal, as a sound: to insert a nasal letter into.—n.Nasal′ity.—adv.Nā′sally, by or through the nose.—adjs.Nā′sicorn, having a horn on the nose, as a rhinoceros;Nā′siform, nose-shaped.—n.Nā′sion, the median point of the naso-frontal suture.—adjs.Nasobā′sal, pertaining to the nose and base of the skull;Nasoc′ular, pertaining to the nose and eye, nasorbital;Nasofron′tal, pertaining to the nasal bone and the frontal bone;Nasolā′bial, pertaining to the nose and the upper lip;Nasolac′rymal, pertaining to the nose and to tears, as the duct which carries tears from the eyes to the nose;Nasopal′atine, pertaining to the nose and to the palate or palate-bones. [Fr.,—L.nasus, the nose.]
Nasard, naz′ard,n.a mutation-stop in organ-building.—AlsoNas′arde.
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. ofnasci,natus, to be born.]
Naseberry, nāz′ber-i,n.an American tropical tree.—AlsoNees′berry,Nis′berry. [Sp.níspero—L.mespilus, medlar.]
Nasturtium, nas-tur′shi-um,n.the water-cress. [L.,nasus, the nose,torquēre,tortum, to twist.]
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 formnasky, soft; cf. prov. Swed.snaskig, nasty, Low Ger.nask, nasty.]
Nasute, nā-sūt′,adj.having a long snout: keen-scented.
Natal, nā′tal,adj.pertaining to the nates or buttocks.—n.pl.Nā′tes, the buttocks.—adj.Nat′iform. [L.natis, the rump.]
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.]
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 to swim.—n.Natatō′rium, a swimming-school.—adj.Nā′tatory, pertaining to swimming: having the habit of swimming. [L.natans,-antis, pr.p. ofnatāre, inten. ofnāre, to swim.]
Natch, nach,n.(prov.) the rump.
Natch, nach,n.a provincial form ofnotch.
Nathless, nath′les,adj.not the less: nevertheless.—AlsoNathe′less. [A.S.ná thý læs, not the less.]
Nathmore, nath′mōr,adv.(Spens.) not or never the more.—AlsoNath′moe. [A.S.ná thý mára.]
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 Aberdeen and Glasgow. [Fr.,—L.nation-em,—nasci,natus, to be born.]
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.t.Nat′ionalise, to make national: to make a nation of.—ns.Nat′ionalism;Nat′ionalist, one who strives after national unity or independence, esp. as in Ireland for more or less separation from Great Britain: an advocate of nationalism:National′ity, birth or membership in a particular country: separate existence as a nation: a nation, race of people: national character.—adv.Nat′ionally.—n.Nat′ionalness.—National air,anthem, the popular song by which a people's patriotic feelings are expressed;National Church, the church established by law in a country;National Convention, the sovereign assembly which sat from Sept. 21, 1792, to Oct. 26, 1795, after the abolition of monarchy in France;National debt, money borrowed by the government of a country and not yet paid;National flag, orensign, the principal flag of a country;National guard, a force which took part in the French Revolution, first formed in 1789.
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.—n.one born in any place: an original inhabitant: (pl.) oysters raised in artificial beds.—adv.Nā′tively.—ns.Nā′tiveness;Nā′tivism, the belief that the mind possesses some ideas or forms of thought that are inborn, and not derived from sensation: the disposition to favour the natives of a country in preference to immigrants;Nā′tivist.—adj.Nativis′tic.—n.Nativ′ity, state or fact of being born: time, place, and manner of birth: the birth of Christ, hence the festival of His birth, Christmas—also a picture representing His birth: state or place of being produced: a horoscope.—Native rock, stone not yet quarried. [Fr.,—L.nativus—nasci,natus, to be born.]
Natrix, nā′triks,n.a genus of colubrine snakes. [L.,—natāre, to swim.]
Natrolite, nat′ro-līt,n.one of the most common of the group of minerals known as Zeolites.
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.]
Natter, nat′ėr,v.t.andv.i.(prov.) to find fault.—adjs.Natt′ered,Natt′ery, peevish.
Natterjack, nat′ėr-jak,n.a common European toad. [Cf.Adder.]
Nattes, nats,n.pl.surface decoration or diaper resembling plaited or interlaced work. [Fr.]
Natty, nat′i,adj.trim, tidy, neat, spruce.—adv.Natt′ily.—n.Natt′iness. [Allied toneat.]
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 function or number: illegitimate: (mus.) according to the usual diatonic scale.—n.an idiot: (mus.) a character (Natural) which removes the effect of a preceding sharp or flat: a white key in keyboard musical instruments.—adj.Nat′ural-born, native.—n.pl.Naturā′lia, the sexual organs.—n.Naturalisā′tion.—v.t.Nat′uralise, to make natural or easy: to adapt to a different climate or to different conditions of life: to grant the privileges of natural-born subjects to.—ns.Nat′uralism, mere state of nature: a close following of nature, without idealisation, in painting, sculpture, fiction, &c.: the belief that natural religion is of itself sufficient;Nat′uralist, one who studies nature, more particularly zoology and botany: a believer in naturalism.—adj.Naturalist′ic, pertaining to, or in accordance with, nature: belonging to the doctrines of naturalism.—adv.Nat′urally.—n.Nat′uralness.—Natural history, originally the description of all that is in nature, now used of the sciences that deal with the earth and its productions—botany, zoology, and mineralogy, esp. zoology;Natural law, the sense of right and wrong which arises from the constitution of the mind of man, as distinguished from the results of revelation or legislation;Natural numbers, the numbers 1, 2, 3, and upwards;Natural order, in botany, an order or division belonging to the natural system of classification, based on a consideration of all the organs of the plant;Natural philosophy, the science of nature, of the physical properties of bodies: physics;Natural scale, a scale of music written without sharps or flats;Natural science, the science ofnature, as distinguished from that ofmind(mental and moral science), and frompurescience (mathematics);Natural selection, a supposed operation of the laws of nature, the result of which is the 'survival of the fittest,' as if brought about by intelligent design;Natural system, a classification of plants and animals according to real differences in structure;Natural theology, orNatural religion, the body of theological truths discoverable by reason without revelation.
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: species: conformity to nature, truth, or reality: inborn mind, character, instinct, or disposition: vital power, as of man or animal: course of life: nakedness: a primitive undomesticated condition.—adj.Nā′tured, having a certain temper or disposition: used in compounds, asgood-natured.—ns.Nā′ture-dē′ity, a deity personifying some force of physical nature;Nā′ture-myth, a myth symbolising natural phenomena;Nā′ture-print′ing, the process of printing in colours from plates that have been impressed with some object of nature, as a plant, leaf, &c.;Nā′ture-wor′ship,Nā′turism, worship of the powers of nature.—n.Nā′turist.—adj.Naturist′ic.—Debt of nature, death;Ease, orRelieve,nature, to evacuate the bowels. [Fr.,—L.natura—nasci,natus, to be born.]
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 account, to despise. [Another form ofnought. A.S.náht,náwiht—ná, not,wiht, a whit.]
Naughty, nawt′i,adj.bad in conduct or speech: mischievous: perverse: disagreeable.—adv.Naught′ily.—n.Naught′iness.
Naumachy, naw′ma-ki,n.a sea-fight: a show representing a sea-fight.—AlsoNaumach′ia. [Gr.naus, a ship,machē, a fight.]
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.]
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.]
Nauscopy, naw′skop-i,n.the art of sighting ships at great distances. [Gr.naus, a ship,skopein, to see.]
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.to loathe: to strike with disgust.—n.Nauseā′tion.—adjs.Nau′seātive, causing nausea or loathing;Nau′seous, producing nausea: disgusting: loathsome.—adv.Nau′seously.—n.Nau′seousness. [L.,—Gr.nausia, sea-sickness—naus, a ship.]
Nautch, nawch,n.a kind of ballet-dance performed by professional dancers known asNautch′-girlsin India: any form of stage entertainment with dancing. [Hind.nāch, dance.]
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-sixtieth of a degree measured at the Equator (=about 2025 yards). [L.nauticus—Gr.nautikos—naus; cog. with L.navis, a ship.]
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, orNau′tili.—adjs.Nau′tiliform,Nau′tiloid.—Paper nautilus, any species ofArgonauta. [L.,—Gr.nautilos, a sailor.]
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 on board a man-of-war: a custom-house officer of high rank in the United States;Naval tactics, the science and methods of managing and moving squadrons of ships. [Fr.,—L.navalis—navis, a ship.]
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.]
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.]
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. ofnafu, nave.]
Navew, nā′vū,n.the wild turnip.
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, often rheumatic, of the small bone—the navicular—in horses, below which passes the strong flexor tendon of the foot. [L.navicularis—navicula, dim. ofnavis, a ship.]
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′igably.—ns.Navigā′tion, the act, science, or art of sailing ships: shipping generally: a canal or artificial waterway;Nav′igator, one who navigates or sails: one who directs the course of a ship.—Navigation laws, the laws passed from time to time to regulate the management and privileges of ships, and the conditions under which they may sail or carry on trade.—Aerial navigation, the management of balloons in motion;Inland navigation, the passing of boats, &c., along rivers and canals. [L.navigāre,-ātum—navis, a ship,agĕre, to drive.]
Navvy, nav′i,n.a labourer—originally a labourer on a navigation or canal: a machine for digging out earth, &c.—called alsoFrench navvy:—pl.Navv′ies. [A contr. ofnavigator.]
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 time;Nā′vy-yard, a government dockyard. [O. Fr.navie—L.navis, a ship.]
Nawab, na-wab′,n.a nabob.
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. withno.]
Nayword, nā′wurd,n.(Shak.) a proverbial reproach, a byword, a watchword.
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 the 1st to the 4th cent.A.D.—AlsoNazarē′an. [FromNazareth, the town.]
Nazarite, naz′ar-īt,n.a Jew who vowed to abstain from strong drink, &c.—alsoNaz′irite.—n.Naz′aritism, the vow and practice of a Nazarite. [Heb.nāzar, to consecrate.]
Naze, nāz,n.a headland or cape. [Scand., as in Dan.næs; a doublet ofness.]
Nazir, na-zēr′,n.a native official in an Anglo-Indian court who serves summonses, &c. [Ar.]
Ne, ne,adv.not: never. [A.S.ne; cf.Nay.]
Neaf, nēf,n.the fist—(Scot.)Neive. [M. E.nefe—Ice.hnefi,nefi; cf. Sw.näfve, the fist.]
Neal, nēl,v.t.to temper by heat.—v.i.to be tempered by heat. [Cf.Anneal.]
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.]
Neanderthaloid, nē-an′dėr-tal-oid,adj.like the low type of skull found in 1857 in a cave in theNeanderthal, a valley between Düsseldorf and Elberfeld.
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.]
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, new,polis, city.]
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 riding or driving.—adv.at a little distance: almost: closely,—prep.close to.—v.t.andv.i.to approach: to come nearer.—adjs.Near′-by, adjacent;Near′-hand(Scot.), near—alsoadv.nearly.—adv.Near′ly, at no great distance: closely: intimately: pressingly: almost: stingily.—n.Near′ness, the state of being near: closeness: intimacy: close alliance: stinginess.—adj.Near′-sight′ed, seeing distinctly only when near, myopic, short-sighted.—n.Near′-sight′edness.—Near point, the nearest point the eye can focus. [A.S.neár, comp. ofneáh, nigh; Ice.nær; Ger.näher.]
Nearctic, nē-ark′tik,adj.of or pertaining to the northern part of the New World—embracing temperate and arctic North America.
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 oil obtained from the feet of oxen;Neat's leather, leather made of the hides of neat-cattle. [A.S.neát, cattle, a beast—neótan,niótan, to use; cf. Scot.nowt, black-cattle.]
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.]
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.]
Nebbuk, neb′uk,n.a shrub,Zizyphus Spina-Christi, one of the thorns of Christ's crown.
Nebel, neb′el,n.a Hebrew stringed instrument.
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 alsoBablah.
Nebris, neb′ris,n.a fawn-skin worn in imitation of Bacchus by his priests and votaries.
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 nebulæ: like nebulæ;Nebulé(neb-ū-lā′),curved in and out (her.);Neb′ulose,Neb′ulous, misty, hazy, vague: relating to, or having the appearance of, a nebula.—ns.Nebulos′ity,Neb′ulousness.—Nebular hypothesis, the theory of Laplace and Sir W. Herschel that nebulæ form the earliest stage in the formation of stars and planets. [L.; Gr.nephelē, cloud, mist.]
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 inpl.: a privy.—ns.Necessā′rian, one who holds the doctrine of necessity;Necessā′rianism, the doctrine that the will is not free, but subject to causes without, which determine its action.—adv.Nec′essarily.—n.Nec′essariness, the state or quality of being necessary.—Necessary truths, such as cannot but be true. [Fr.,—L.necessarius.]
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 necessary: to render unavoidable: to compel.—n.Necessitā′tion.—adjs.Necess′itied(Shak.), in a state of want;Necess′itous, in necessity: very poor: destitute.—adv.Necess′itously.—n.Necess′itousness.—Natural necessity, the condition of being necessary according to the laws of nature;LogicalorMathematical, according to those of human intelligence;Moral, according to those of moral law;Works of necessity, work so necessary as to be allowable on the Sabbath. [L.necessitas.]
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 off the head.—ns.Neck′atee, a neckerchief;Neck′-band, the part of a shirt encircling the neck;Neck′-bear′ing, that part of a shaft which rotates in the bearing proper, a journal;Neck′beef, the coarse flesh of the neck of cattle;Neck′cloth, a piece of folded cloth worn round the neck by men as a band or cravat, the ends hanging down often of lace.—adj.Necked, having a neck of a certain kind.—ns.Neck′erchief, a kerchief for the neck;Neck′lace, a lace or string of beads or precious stones worn on the neck by women;Neck′let, a simple form of necklace;Neck′-mould, a small moulding surrounding a column at the junction of the shaft and capital;Neck′-piece, the part of a suit of armour that protects the neck: an ornamental frill round the neck of a gown;Neck′tie, a tie or cloth for the neck;Neck′verse, the verse (usually Ps. li. 1) in early times placed before a prisoner claimingbenefit-of-clergy, in order to test his ability to read, which, if he could do, he was burned in the hand and set free (seeBenefit).—n.Stiff′neck(seeStiff).—Neck and crop, completely;Neck and neck, exactly equal: side by side;Neck or nothing, risking everything.—Harden the neck, to grow more obstinate;Tread on the neck of, to oppress or tyrannise over. [A.S.hnecca; Ger.nacken.]
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 who gives an account of deaths;Necrol′ogy, an account of those who have died, esp. of the members of some society: a register of deaths;Nec′romancer, one who practises necromancy: a sorcerer;Nec′romancy, the art of revealing future events by calling up and questioning the spirits of the dead: enchantment.—adjs.Necroman′tic,-al, pertaining to necromancy: performed by necromancy.—adv.Necroman′tically.—adj.Necroph′agous, feeding on carrion.—ns.Necroph′ilism, a morbid love for the dead;Necrophō′bia, a morbid horror of corpses.—adj.Necroph′orous, carrying away and burying dead bodies, esp. of beetles of the genusNecrophorus.—n.Necrop′olis, a cemetery.—adjs.Necroscop′ic,-al.—n.Nec′roscopy, a post-mortem examination, autopsy—alsoNec′ropsy.—adjs.Necrosed′,Necrō′tic.—ns.Necrō′sis, the mortification of bone: (bot.) a disease of plants marked by small black spots;Necrot′omist;Necrot′omy, dissection of dead bodies. [Gr.nekros, dead.]
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, or resembling, nectar: delicious;Nec′tared, imbued with nectar: mingled or abounding with nectar;Nectā′reous,Nec′tarous, pertaining to, containing, or resembling nectar: delicious.—adv.Nectā′reously, in a nectareous manner.—n.Nectā′reousness, the quality of being nectareous.—adjs.Nectā′rial;Nectarif′erous, producing nectar or honey: having a nectary;Nec′tarine, sweet as nectar.—n.a variety of peach with a smooth fruit.—n.Nec′tary, the part of a flower which secretes the nectar or honey. [L.,—Gr.nektar; ety. dub.]
Nectocalyx, nek′to-kā-liks,n.the swimming-bell of a medusa:—pl.Nectocā′lyces.
Neddy, ned′i,n.a donkey. [FromNed=Edward.]
Née, nā,adj.born: placed before a married woman's maiden-name, to show her own family, as Rebecca Crawley,néeSharp. [Fr., fem. ofné, pa.p. ofnaître, to be born—L.nasci,natus, to be born.]
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 produced by friction, to which a certain virtue is superstitiously attached: a beacon generally.—adj.Need′ful, full of need: having need: needy: necessary: requisite.—adv.Need′fully.—n.Need′fulness.—adv.Need′ily.—n.Need′iness.—adj.Need′less(Shak.), having no need: not needed: unnecessary.—adv.Need′lessly.—n.Need′lessness.—adv.Need′ly(Shak.), necessarily.—n.Need′ment, something needed.—adv.Needs, of necessity: indispensably—often used withmust, as 'needs must.'—adj.Need′y, very poor: requisite.—n.Need′yhood.—The needful(slang), ready money. [A.S.néd,niéd,nýd; Dut.nood, Ger.noth.]