Chapter II: Part 2

NEO-PAGANISM, n[=e]-[=o]-p[=a]'gan-izm, _n._ a revival of paganism, or its spirit--a euphemism for mere animalism.--_v.t._ NEO-P[=A]'GAN[=I]SE, to imbue with this spirit.

NEOPHOBIA, n[=e]-[=o]-f[=o]'bi-a, _n._ dread of novelty. [Gr. _neos_, new, _phobia_--_phebesthai_, to fear.]

NEOPHRON, n[=e]'[=o]-fron, _n._ a genus of vultures, having horizontal nostrils. [Gr.,--_neos_, new, _phren_, mind.]

NEOPHYTE, n[=e]'[=o]-f[=i]t, _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._ N[=E]'OPHYTISM. [L. _neophytus_--Gr. _neos_, new, _phytos_, grown--_phyein_, to produce.]

NEOPLASM, n[=e]'[=o]-plazm, _n._ a morbid new growth or formation of tissue.--_adj._ NEOPLAS'TIC.

NEOPLATONISM, n[=e]-[=o]-pl[=a]'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._ NEOPLATON'IC.--_n._ NEOPL[=A]'TONIST.

NEOTERIC, -AL, n[=e]-[=o]-ter'ik, -al, _adj._ of recent origin, modern.--_v.i._ NEOT'ERISE.--_n._ NEOT'ERISM, the introduction of new things, esp. new words. [Gr.,--_ne[=o]teros_, comp. of _neos_, new.]

NEOTIC, n[=e]-ot'ik, _adj._ addressed to the understanding.

NEOTROPICAL, n[=e]-[=o]-trop'i-kal, _adj._ applied to the part of the New World including tropical and South America and the adjacent islands.

NEOZOIC, n[=e]-[=o]-z[=o]'ik, _adj._ denoting all rocks from the Trias down to the most recent formations, as opposed to _Palæozoic_. [Gr. _neos_, new, _zo[=e]_, life.]

NEP, nep, _n._ (_prov._) a knot in a fibre of cotton.

NEPENTHES, ne-pen'th[=e]z, _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.,--_n[=e]_, neg., _penthos_, grief.]

NEPHALISM, nef'a-lizm, _n._ total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.--_n._ NEPH'ALIST, a bigoted teetotaler. [Gr. _n[=e]phalios_, sober; _n[=e]phein_, 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. _nephel[=e]_, 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. _nephel[=e]_, cloud.]

NEPHEW, nev'[=u], or nef'[=u], _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--also NEPHRAL'GY.--_ns._ NEPH'RITE, a mineral usually called _Jade_, 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._ NEPHR[=I]'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, NEP[=O]'TIOUS.--_n._ NEP'OTIST, one who practises nepotism. [L. _nepos_, _nepotis_, a grandson.]

NEPTUNE, nep't[=u]n, _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._ NEPT[=U]'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 to _Plutonic_ or _Igneous_.--_n._ NEP'T[=U]NIST, one who holds the Neptunian theory in geology--also _adj._ [L. _Neptunus_.]

NEREID, n[=e]'r[=e]-id, _n._ (_Gr. myth._) a sea-nymph, one of the daughters of the sea-god _Nereus_, who attended Neptune riding on sea-horses: (_zool._) a genus of marine worms like long myriapods.--_ns._ N[=E]'R[=E]IS, a nereid; N[=E]'R[=E]ITE, a fossil annelid related to the nereids. [L.,--Gr.]

NERINE, n[=e]-r[=i]'n[=e], _n._ a genus of ornamental South African plants of the Amaryllis family, with scarlet or rose-coloured flowers.--The Guernsey Lily is the _Nerine Sarniensis_.

NERITE, n[=e]'r[=i]t, _n._ a gasteropod of the genus _Nerita_ or the family _Neritidæ_.--_adj._ NERIT[=A]'CEAN.

NERIUM, n[=e]'ri-um, _n._ a genus of Mediterranean shrubs, with fragrant and showy pink, white, or yellowish flowers, the oleander.

NERO, n[=e]'ro, _n._ the last emperor of the family of the Cæsars, at Rome (54-68 A.D.): any cruel and wicked tyrant.--_adj._ NER[=O]'NIAN.

NERO-ANTICO, n[=a]-r[=o]-an-t[=e]'ko, _n._ a deep-black marble found in Roman ruins. [It.]

NERVE, n[.e]rv, _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._ NERV[=A]'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'-F[=I]'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'[=U]LAR.--_ns._ NERV'[=U]LE, a small nerve, a small vein of an insect's wing--also _Nervulet_, _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_--_nesc[=i]re_, to be ignorant--_ne_, not, _sc[=i]re_, 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, n[=e]'si-[=o]t, _adj._ insular. [Gr. _n[=e]sos_, an island.]

NESKI, nes'ki, _n._ the cursive hand generally used in Arabic.--Also NESH'KI. [Ar.]

NESOGÆAN, n[=e]-s[=o]-j[=e]'an, _adj._ pertaining to Nesogæa--Polynesia or Oceania, New Zealand excepted, with regard to the distribution of its animals. [Gr. _n[=e]sos_, an island, _gaia_, the earth.]

NESS, nes, _n._ a promontory or headland. [A.S. _næss_; a doublet of _naze_, prob. conn. with _nose_.]

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. _n[=i]dus_.]

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--also NEST'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._ NEST[=O]'RIAN.

NESTORIAN, nes-t[=o]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the Christological doctrine of _Nestorius_, 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._ NEST[=O]'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._ and _pa.p._ net'ted.--_ns._ NET'-FISH, any fish, like the herring, caught in nets--opp. to _Trawl-fish_ and _Line-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. to _Gross_: lowest, subject to no further deductions.--_v.t._ to produce as clear profit:--_pr.p._ net'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ net'ted. [_Neat._]

NETHELESSE, neth'les, _adv._=NATHLESS.

NETHER, ne_th_'[.e]r, _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-k[=a], _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, n[=u]m, _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, n[=u]'ral, _adj._ pertaining to the nerves--also NEUR'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, n[=u]-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, n[=u]-ras-the-n[=i]'a, _n._ nervous debility.--_adj._ NEURASTHEN'IC--also _n._ one suffering from this. [Gr. _neuron_, a nerve, _astheneia_, weakness.]

NEURATION, n[=u]-r[=a]'shun, _n._ Same as NERVATION.

NEURILEMMA, n[=u]-ri-lem'a, _n._ the external sheath of a nerve-fibre.

NEURITIS, n[=u]-r[=i]'tis, _n._ inflammation of a nerve.

NEUROHYPNOLOGY, n[=u]-r[=o]-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, n[=u]-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, n[=u]'ron, _n._ the cerebro-spinal axis in its entirety: a nervure of an insect's wing.

NEUROPATH, n[=u]'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, n[=u]-rop't[.e]r-a, _n.pl._ an order of insects which have generally four wings marked with a network of many nerves:--_sing._ NEUROP'TERON; also NEUROP'TER, NEUROP'TERAN.--_adjs._ NEUROP'TERAL, NEUROP'TEROUS, nerve-winged. [Gr. _neuron_, nerve, _ptera_, pl. of _pteron_, a wing.]

NEUROSE, n[=u]'r[=o]s, _adj._ nerved: having many nervures or veins, of an insect's wing, &c.

NEUROTIC, n[=u]-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._ NEUR[=O]'SAL.--_n._ NEUR[=O]'SIS, a nervous disease, esp. without lesion of parts, as epilepsy, &c.

NEUROTOMY, n[=u]-rot'om-i, _n._ the cutting or dissection of a nerve.--_adj._ NEUROTOM'ICAL. [Gr. _neuron_, a nerve, _tom[=e]_, cutting.]

NEUROTONIC, n[=u]-ro-ton'ik, _n._ a medicine intended to strengthen the nervous system.

NEUTER, n[=u]'t[.e]r, _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, n[=u]'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._ NEUTRALIS[=A]'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 in _but_, _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, n[=a]-v[=a]', _n._ the same as _firn_ or _glacier snow_. [Fr.,--L. _nix_, _nivis_, snow.]

NEVEL, nev'el, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to beat with the fists.

NEVER, nev'[.e]r, _adv._ not ever: at no time: in no degree: not.--_adv._ NEV'ERMORE, at no future time.--_conj._ NEVERTHELESS', notwithstanding: in spite of that (earlier _Natheless_).--_adv._ NEVERTHEMORE' (_Spens._), none the more. [A.S. _n['æ]fre_--_ne_, not, _['æ]fre_, ever.]

NEW, n[=u], _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 (see REGENERATION); NEW CHUM, a new arrival from the old country in Australia; NEW CHURCH, NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH, the Swedenborgian Church; NEW COVENANT (see COVENANT); NEW DEPARTURE (see DEPARTURE); NEW ENGLANDER, a native or resident in any of the New England states; NEW JERUSALEM, the heavenly city; NEW LEARNING (see RENAISSANCE); 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 (see STYLE); 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, n[=u]'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, n[=u]'el, _n._ (_Spens._) a new thing: a novelty.

NEWFANGLED, n[=u]-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, n[=u]-fownd'land, _n._ a large dog of great intelligence, a strong swimmer, black without any white markings, first brought from _Newfoundland_.

NEWGATE, n[=u]'g[=a]t, _n._ a famous prison in London.--NEWGATE CALENDAR, a list of Newgate prisoners, with their crimes; NEWGATE FRILL, or FRINGE, a beard under the chin and jaw.

NEWMARKET, n[=u]'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, n[=u]z, _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, n[=u]t, _n._ a genus of amphibious animals like small lizards. [Formed with initial _n_, borrowed from the article _an_, from _ewt_--A.S. _efeta_.]

NEWTONIAN, n[=u]-t[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ relating to, formed, or discovered by Sir Isaac _Newton_, the celebrated philosopher (1642-1727)--also NEWTON'IC.--NEWTONIAN TELESCOPE, a form of reflecting telescope.

NEXT, nekst, _adj._ (_superl._ of NIGH) nearest in place, time, &c.--_adv._ nearest or immediately after.--_prep._ nearest to.--_n._ NEXT'NESS.--NEXT DOOR TO (see DOOR); NEXT TO NOTHING, almost nothing at all. [A.S. _néhst_, superl. of _néh_, _neáh_, near; Ger. _nächst_.]

NEXUS, nek'sus, _n._ a tie, connecting principle, bond: (_Rom. law_) a person who had contracted a _nexum_ or obligation of such a kind that, if he failed to pay, his creditor could compel him to serve until the debt was paid. [L.--_nect[)e]re_, 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. of _nip_.]

NIBELUNGEN, n[=e]'bel-[=oo]ng-en, _n.pl._ a supernatural race in German mythology guarding a treasure wrested from them by Siegfried, the hero of the _Nibelungenlied_, an epic of _c._ 1190-1210.

NIBLICK, nib'lik, _n._ a golf-club with cup-shaped head.

NICE, n[=i]s, _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, _sc[=i]re_, to know.]

NICENE, n[=i]'s[=e]n, _adj._ pertaining to the town of _Nice_ or _Nicæa_, 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 the _Nicene Creed_. A second council, the seventh general council, held here in 787, condemned the Iconoclasts.

NICHE, nich, _n._ a recess in a wall for a statue, vase, &c.: a person's proper place or condition in life or public estimation, one's appointed or appropriate place.--_v.t._ to place in a niche.--_adj._ NICHED, placed in a niche. [Fr.,--It. _nicchia_, a niche, _nicchio_, a shell--L. _mytilus_, _mitulus_, a sea-mussel.]

NICK, nik, _n._ a notch cut into something: a score for keeping an account: the precise moment of time: a lucky throw at hazard.--_v.t._ to cut in notches: to hit the precise time: to strike as if making a nick: to cheat: catch in the act: to cut short: (_Scot._) to cut with a single snip, as of shears: to make a cut with the pick in the face of coal to facilitate blasting or wedging.--_adj._ NICK'-EARED, crop-eared.--_n._ NICK'ER, one who, or that which, nicks: a woodpecker: a street-ruffian in the early part of the 18th century.--NICK A HORSE'S TAIL, to make a cut at the root of the tail, making the horse carry it higher. [Another spelling of _nock_, old form of _notch_.]

NICK, nik, _n._ the devil, esp. OLD NICK. [Prob. a corr. of St _Nicholas_, or from A.S. _nicor_, a water-spirit; Ice. _nykr_, Ger. _nix_, _nixe_.]

NICKEL, nik'el, _n._ a grayish-white metal related to cobalt, very malleable and ductile.--_v.t._ to plate with nickel.--_ns._ NICK'ELAGE, NICK'ELURE, the art of nickel-plating.--_adjs._ NICK'ELIC, NICK'ELOUS; NICKELIF'EROUS, containing nickel.--_ns._ NICK'ELINE, NIC'COLITE, native nickel arsenide.--_v.t._ NICK'ELISE, to plate with nickel.--_ns._ NICK'EL-PLAT'ING, the plating of metals with nickel; NICK'EL-SIL'VER, German silver (see GERMAN). [Sw. _koppar-nickel_ (Ger. _kupfernickel_), _koppar_, copper, _nickel_, a word corresponding to Ger. _nickel_, the devil (cf. _Cobalt_ and _Kobold_), or to Ice. _hnikill_, a lump.]

NICKER, nik'[.e]r, _v.i._ to neigh: to snigger.--_n._ a neigh: a loud laugh--(_obs._) NICH'ER.

NICKNACK, nik'nak, _n._ a trifle--dim. NICK'NACKET.--_n._ NICK'NACKERY. [Same as _Knick-knack_.]

NICKNAME, nik'n[=a]m, _n._ a name given in contempt or sportive familiarity.--_v.t._ to give a nickname to. [M. E. _neke-name_, with intrusive initial _n_ from _eke-name_, surname; from _eke_ and _name_.]

NICOTINE, nik'o-tin, _n._ a poisonous, volatile, alkaloid base, obtained from tobacco.--_adj._ NIC[=O]'TIAN, pertaining to tobacco, from Jean _Nicot_ (1530-1600), the benefactor who introduced it into France in 1560.--_n._ a smoker of tobacco.--_n.pl._ NICOTI[=A]'NA, the literature of tobacco.--_n._ NIC'OTINISM, a morbid state induced by excessive misuse of tobacco.

NICTATE, nik't[=a]t, _v.i._ to wink--also NIC'TITATE.--_ns._ NIC'T[=A]TION, NICTIT[=A]'TION.--NICTITATING MEMBRANE, a thin movable membrane covering the eyes of birds. [L. _nict[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_.]

NIDDER, nid'[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to keep under: to pinch with cold or hunger: to molest.

NIDDLE-NODDLE, nid'l-nod'l, _adj._ vacillating.--_v.i._ to wag the head.

NIDERLING, nid'[.e]r-ling, _n._ a wicked fellow--also NID'ERING, NITH'ING.--_n._ NIDD'ERING, a noodle.

NIDGE, nij, _v.t._ to dress the face of (a stone) with a sharp-pointed hammer.

NIDGING, nij'ing, _adj._ trifling.--_n._ NIDG'ET, a fool.

NIDIFICATION, nid-i-fi-k[=a]'shun, _n._ the act or art of building a nest, and the hatching and rearing of the young.--_adj._ NIDAMENT'AL, pertaining to nests or what protects eggs.--_n._ NIDAMENT'UM, an egg-case.--_vs.i._ NID'IFICATE, NID'IFY.--_adjs._ NID'ULANT, NID'ULATE, lying free in a cup-shaped body, or in pulp.--_n._ NIDUL[=A]'TION, nest-building. [L. _nidus_, a nest, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

NIDOR, n[=i]'dor, _n._ odour, esp. of cooked food.--_adjs._ N[=I]'DOROSE, N[=I]'DOROUS, N[=I]'DOSE. [L.]

NIDUS, n[=i]'dus, _n._ a place, esp. in an animal body, in which a germ lodges and begins to develop. [L.]

NIECE, n[=e]s, _n._ (_fem._ of NEPHEW) the daughter of a brother or sister: (_orig._) a granddaughter. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _nepta_--L. _neptis_, a granddaughter, niece.]

NIELLO, ni-el'lo, _n._ a method of ornamenting silver or gold plates by engraving the surface, and filling up the lines with a black composition, to give clearness and effect to the incised design: a work produced by this method: an impression taken from the engraved surface before the incised lines have been filled up: the compound used in niello-work.--_v.t._ to decorate with niello.--_n._ NIELL'URE, the process, also the work done. [It. _niello_--Low L. _nigellum_, a black enamel--L. _nigellus_, dim. of _niger_, black.]

NIERSTEINER, n[=e]r'st[=i]-ner, _n._ a variety of Rhine wine, named from _Nierstein_, near Mainz.

NIFFER, nif'[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to barter.--_n._ an exchange.

NIFFLE, nif'l, _v.t._ (_prov._) to pilfer.--_n._ NIFF'NAFF, a trifle.--_adj._ NIFF'NAFFY, fastidious.

NIFLHEIM, nifl'h[=i]m, _n._ (_Scand. myth._) a region of mist, ruled over by Hel.

NIFTY, nif'ti, _adj._ (_slang_) stylish.

NIGELLA, n[=i]-jel'a, _n._ a genus of ranunculaceous plants, with finely dissected leaves, and whitish, blue, or yellow flowers, often almost concealed by their leafy involucres--_Nigella damascena_, called Love-in-a-mist, Devil-in-a-bush, and Ragged Lady.

NIGGARD, nig'ard, _n._ a person who is unwilling to spend or give away: a miser.--_adjs._ NIGG'ARD, NIGG'ARDLY, having the qualities of a niggard: miserly; NIGG'ARDISH, rather niggardly.--_n._ NIGG'ARDLINESS, meanness in giving or spending--(_Spens._) NIGG'ARDISE.--_adv._ NIGG'ARDLY. [Ice. _hnöggr_, stingy; Ger. _genau_, close.]

NIGGER, nig'[.e]r, _n._ a black man, a negro: a native of the East Indies or one of the Australian aborigines: a black caterpillar: a Cornish holothurian.--_v.t._ to exhaust soil by cropping it year by year without manure.--_n._ NIGG'ERDOM, niggers collectively.--_adjs._ NIGG'ERISH, NIGG'ERY.--_ns._ NIGG'ER-KILL'ER, a scorpion; NIGG'ERLING, a little nigger.

NIGGLE, nig'l, _v.i._ to trifle, busy one's self with petty matters: to cramp.--_v.t._ to fill with excessive detail: to befool.--_n._ small cramped handwriting.--_ns._ NIGG'LER, one who trifles; NIGG'LING, fussiness, finicking work.--_adj._ mean: fussy. [Freq. of _nig_, which may be a variant of _nick_.]

NIGH, n[=i], _adj._ near: not distant in place or time: not far off in degree, kindred, &c.: close.--_adv._ nearly: almost.--_prep._ near to: not distant from.--_adv._ NIGH'LY, nearly: within a little.--_n._ NIGH'NESS, the state or quality of being nigh: nearness. [A.S. _néah_, _néh_; Dut. _na_, Ger. _nahe_.]

NIGHT, n[=i]t, _n._ the end of the day: the time from sunset to sunrise: darkness: ignorance, affliction, or sorrow: death.--_ns._ NIGHT'-BELL, a bell for use at night--of a physician, &c.; NIGHT'-BIRD, a bird that flies only at night, esp. the owl: the nightingale, as singing at night; NIGHT'-BLIND'NESS, inability to see in a dim light, nyctalopia; NIGHT'-BRAWL'ER, one who raises disturbances in the night; NIGHT'CAP, a cap worn at night in bed (so NIGHT'DRESS, -SHIRT, &c.): a dram taken before going to bed: a cap drawn over the face before hanging; NIGHT'-CART, a cart used to remove the contents of privies before daylight; NIGHT'-CHAIR, a night-stool; NIGHT'-CHURR, or -JAR, the British species of goat-sucker, so called from the sound of its cry.--_n.pl._ NIGHT'-CLOTHES, garments worn in bed.--_ns._ NIGHT'-CROW, a bird that cries in the night; NIGHT'-DOG (_Shak._), a dog that hunts in the night.--_adj._ NIGHT'ED, benighted: (_Shak._) darkened, clouded.--_ns._ NIGHT'FALL, the fall or beginning of the night: the close of the day: evening; NIGHT'FARING, travelling by night; NIGHT'FIRE, a fire burning in the night: a will-o'-the-wisp; NIGHT'-FISH'ERY, a mode of fishing by night, or a place where this is done; NIGHT'-FLY, a moth that flies at night; NIGHT'-FOE, one who makes his attack by night; NIGHT'-FOSS'ICKER, one who robs a digging by night.--_adj._ NIGHT'-FOUN'DERED, lost in the night.--_ns._ NIGHT'-FOWL, a night-bird; NIGHT'-GLASS, a spy-glass with concentrating lenses for use at night; NIGHT'-GOWN, a long loose robe for sleeping in, for men or women; a loose gown for wearing in the house; NIGHT'-HAG, a witch supposed to be abroad at night; NIGHT'-HAWK, a species of migratory goat-sucker, common in America; NIGHT'-HER'ON, a heron of nocturnal habit; NIGHT'-HOUSE, a tavern allowed to be open during the night; NIGHT'-HUNT'ER, a degraded woman who prowls about the streets at night for her prey; NIGHT'-LAMP, or -LIGHT, a light left burning all night.--_adj._ NIGHT'LESS, having no night.--_n._ NIGHT'-LINE, a fishing-line set overnight.--_adj._ and _adv._ NIGHT'LONG, lasting all night.--_adj._ NIGHT'LY, done by night: done every night.--_adv._ by night: every night.--_ns._ NIGHT'-MAN, a night-watchman or scavenger; NIGHT'-OWL, an owl of exclusively nocturnal habits: one who sits up very late; NIGHT'-PAL'SY, a numbness of the lower limbs, incidental to women; NIGHT'PIECE, a picture or literary description of a night-scene: a painting to be seen best by artificial light; NIGHT'-POR'TER, a porter in attendance during the night at hotels, railway stations, &c.; NIGHT'-RAIL, a night-gown: a 17th-century form of head-dress; NIGHT'-RAV'EN (_Shak._), a bird that cries at night, supposed to be of ill-omen; NIGHT'-REST, the repose of the night; NIGHT'-RULE (_Shak._), a frolic at night.--_adv._ NIGHTS (_obs._), by night.--_ns._ NIGHT'-SCHOOL, a school held at night, esp. for those at work during the day; NIGHT'-SEA'SON, the time of night; NIGHT'SHADE, a name of several plants of the genus _Solanum_, having narcotic properties, often found in damp shady woods; NIGHT'-SHRIEK, a cry in the night; NIGHT'-SIDE, the dark, mysterious, or gloomy side of anything; NIGHT'-SING'ER, any bird like the nightingale, esp. the Irish sedge-warbler; NIGHT'-SOIL, the contents of privies, cesspools, &c., generally carried away at night; NIGHT'-SPELL, a charm against accidents by night; NIGHT'-STEED, one of the horses in the chariot of NIGHT; NIGHT'-STOOL, a close-stool for use in a bedroom; NIGHT'-T[=A]'PER, a night-light burning slowly.--_n.pl._ NIGHT'-TERR'ORS, the sudden starting from sleep of children in a state of fright.--_p.adj._ NIGHT'-TRIP'PING (_Shak._), tripping about in the night.--_ns._ NIGHT'-WAK'ING, watching in the night; NIGHT'-WALK, a walk in the night; NIGHT'-WALK'ER, one who walks in his sleep at night, a somnambulist: one who walks about at night for bad purposes, esp. a prostitute; NIGHT'-WALK'ING, walking in one's sleep, somnambulism: roving about at night with evil designs; NIGHT'-WAN'DERER, one who wanders by night.--_adjs._ NIGHT'-WAR'BLING, singing in the night; NIGHT'WARD, toward night.--_ns._ NIGHT'-WATCH, a watch or guard at night: time of watch in the night; NIGHT'-WATCH'MAN, one who acts as a watch during the night; NIGHT'-WORK, work done at night. [A.S. _niht_; Ger. _nacht_, L. _nox_.]

NIGHTINGALE, n[=i]t'in-g[=a]l, _n._ a small sylviine bird, of the Passerine family, widely distributed in the Old World, celebrated for the rich love-song of the male heard chiefly at night. [A.S. _nihtegale_--_niht_, night, _galan_, to sing; Ger. _nachtigall_.]

NIGHTINGALE, n[=i]t'in-g[=a]l, _n._ a kind of flannel scarf with sleeves, worn by invalids when sitting up in bed. [From the famous Crimean hospital nurse, Florence _Nightingale_, born 1820.]

NIGHTMARE, n[=i]t'm[=a]r, _n._ a dreadful dream accompanied with pressure on the breast, and a feeling of powerlessness to move or speak--personified as an incubus or evil-spirit.--_adj._ NIGHT'MARISH. [A.S. _niht_, night, _mara_, a nightmare; cf. Old High Ger. _mara_, incubus, Ice. _mara_, nightmare.]

NIGRESCENT, n[=i]-gres'ent, _adj._ growing black or dark: approaching to blackness.--_n._ NIGRESC'ENCE. [L., _nigresc[)e]re_, to grow black--_niger_, black.]

NIGRITE, nig'r[=i]t, _n._ an insulating composition consisting of the impure residuum obtained in the distillation of paraffin. [L. _niger_, black.]

NIGRITIAN, ni-grish'an, _adj._ pertaining to _Nigritia_, Upper Guinea, Senegambia, and the Soudan region generally, the home of the true negroes.--_n._ a native of this region, a negro.

NIGRITUDE, nig'ri-t[=u]d, _n._ blackness. [L. _nigritudo_--_niger_, black.]

NIGROSINE, nig'r[=o]-sin, _n._ a coal-tar colour prepared from the hydrochloride of violaniline. [L. _niger_, black.]

NIHIL, n[=i]'hil, _n._ nothing.--_ns._ N[=I]'HILISM, belief in nothing, extreme scepticism: in Russia, a revolutionary socialistic movement aiming at the overturn of all the existing institutions of society in order to build it up anew on different principles; N[=I]'HILIST, one who professes Nihilism.--_adj._ NIHILIST'IC.--_ns._ NIHIL'ITY, nothingness; NIL, nothing. [L.]

NIKE, n[=i]'k[=e], _n._ the goddess of victory. [Gr.]

NILGAU. See NYL-GHAU.

NILL, nil, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to refuse, to reject.--_v.i._ to be unwilling. [A.S. _nillan_--_ne_, not, _willan_, to will.]

NILOMETER, n[=i]-lom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a gauge for measuring the height of water in the river _Nile_: any river-gauge--also N[=I]'LOSCOPE.--_adj._ NILOT'IC.

NIM, nim, _v.t._ to steal, pilfer. [A.S. _niman_, to take.]

NIMBLE, nim'bl, _adj._ light and quick in motion: active: swift.--_adjs._ NIM'BLE-FING'ERED, skilful with the fingers, thievish; NIM'BLE-FOOT'ED, swift of foot.--_ns._ NIM'BLENESS, NIM'BLESS (_Spens._), quickness of motion either in body or mind.--_adj._ NIM'BLE-WIT'TED, quick-witted.--_adv._ NIM'BLY. [M. E. _nimel_--A.S. _niman_, to catch; cf. Ger. _nehmen_.]

NIMBUS, nim'bus, _n._ the raincloud: (_paint._) the disc or halo, generally circular or semicircular, which encircles the head of the sacred person represented.--_adj._ NIMBIF'EROUS, bringing clouds. [L.]

NIMIETY, ni-m[=i]'e-ti, _n._ (rare) state of being too much. [L. _nimietas_--_nimis_, too much.]

NIMINY-PIMINY, nim'i-ni-pim'i-ni, _adj._ affectedly fine or delicate.--_n._ affected delicacy. [Imit.]

NIMROD, nim'rod, _n._ the founder of Babel (see Gen. x. 8-10): any great hunter.

NINCOMPOOP, nin'kom-poop, _n._ a simpleton. [Corr. of L. _non compos_ (_mentis_), not of sound mind.]

NINE, n[=i]n, _adj._ and _n._ eight and one.--_n._ NINE'-EYES, a popular name for the young lampreys found in rivers.--_adj._ NINE'FOLD, nine times folded or repeated.--_ns._ NINE'HOLES, a game in which a ball is to be bowled into nine holes in the ground or a board; NINE'PINS, a game at bowls, a form of skittles, so called from nine pins being set up to be knocked down by a ball.--_adj._ NINE'-SCORE, nine times twenty.--_n._ the number of nine times twenty.--_adj._ and _n._ NINE'TEEN, nine and ten.--_adj._ NINE'TEENTH, the ninth after the tenth: being one of nineteen equal parts.--_n._ a nineteenth part.--_adj._ NINE'TIETH, the last of ninety: next after the eighty-ninth.--_n._ a ninetieth part.--_adj._ and _n._ NINE'TY, nine tens.--_adj._ NINTH, the last of nine: next after the eighth.--_n._ one of nine equal parts.--_adv._ NINTH'LY, in the ninth place.--NINE DAYS' WONDER (see WONDER); NINE MEN'S MORRIS (see MORRIS); NINE WORTHIES, Hector, Alexander the Great, Julius Cæsar, Joshua, David, Judas Maccabæus, Arthur, Charlemagne, Godfrey of Bouillon; THE NINE, the nine muses (see MUSE); TO THE NINES, to perfection, fully, elaborately. [A.S. _nigon_; Dut. _negen_, L. _novem_, Gr. _ennea_, Sans. _navan_.]

NINNY, nin'i, _n._ a simpleton.--Also NINN'Y-HAMM'ER. [It. _ninno_, child; Sp. _niño_, infant.]

NIOBE, n[=i]'o-b[=e], _n._ daughter of Tantalus, and wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Proud of her many children, she gloried over Latona, who had but two, Artemis and Apollo. But these killed them all, on which the weeping mother was turned into stone by Zeus.--_adj._ NIOB[=E]'AN.

NIOBIUM, n[=i]-[=o]'bi-um, _n._ a rare metal, steel-gray in colour, discovered in the mineral Tantalite--sometimes called _Columbium_.

NIP, nip, _n._ a sip, esp. of spirits--also NIP'PER (_U.S._).--_v.i._ to take a dram.--_n._ NIP'PERKIN, a small measure of liquor. [Dut. _nippen_, to sip.]

NIP, nip, _v.t._ to pinch: to press between two surfaces: to cut off the edge: to check the growth or vigour of: to destroy: to bite, sting, satirise:--_pr.p._ nip'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ nipped.--_n._ a pinch: a seizing or closing in upon: a cutting off the end: a blast: destruction by frost: (_min._) a more or less gradual thinning out of a stratum: (_naut._) a short turn in a rope, the part of a rope at the place bound by the seizing or caught by jambing.--_ns._ NIP'-CHEESE, a stingy fellow: (_naut._) the purser's steward; NIP'PER, he who, or that which, nips: one of various tools or implements like pincers: one of a pair of automatically locking handcuffs: a chela or great claw, as of a crab: the young bluefish: a boy who attends on navvies: (_obs._) a thief: one of the four fore-teeth of a horse: (_pl._) small pincers.--_v.t._ to seize (two ropes) together.--_adv._ NIP'PINGLY.--NIP IN THE BUD, to cut off in the earliest stage. [From root of _knife_; Dut. _knijpen_, Ger. _kneipen_, to pinch.]

NIPPERTY-TIPPERTY, nip'[.e]r-ti-tip'[.e]r-ti, _adj._ (_Scot._) silly, frivolous.

NIPPLE, nip'l, _n._ the pap by which milk is drawn from the breasts of females: a teat: a small projection with an orifice, as the nipple of a gun.--_v.t._ to furnish with a nipple.--_ns._ NIPP'LE-SHIELD, a defence for the nipple worn by nursing women; NIPP'LE-WORT, a small, yellow-flowered plant of remedial use. [A dim. of _neb_ or _nib_.]

NIPPY, nip'i, _adj._ (_Scot._) sharp in taste: curt: parsimonious.

NIPTER, nip't[.e]r, _n._ the ecclesiastical ceremony of washing the feet--the same as maundy. [Gr. _nipt[=e]r_, a basin--_niptein_, to wash.]

NIRLES, NIRLS, nirlz, _n._ herpes.

NIRVANA, nir-vä'na, _n._ the cessation of individual existence--the state to which a Buddhist aspires as the best attainable. [Sans., 'a blowing out.']

NIS, nis (_Spens._), is not. [A contr. of _ne is_.]

NIS, nis, _n._ a hobgoblin. [Same as _Nix_.]

NISAN, n[=i]'san, _n._ the name given after the Captivity to the Jewish month Abib. [Heb.]

NISI, n[=i]'s[=i], _conj._ unless, placed after the words 'decree' or 'rule,' to indicate that the decree or rule will be made absolute unless, after a time, some condition referred to be fulfilled.--NISI PRIUS, the name usually given in England to the sittings of juries in civil cases--from the first two words of the old Latin writ summoning the juries to appear at Westminster _unless_, _before_ the day appointed, the judges shall have come to the county.

NISUS, n[=i]'sus, _n._ effort, attempt.--NISUS FORMATIVUS (_biol._), formative effort. [L.]

NIT, nit, _n._ the egg of a louse or other small insect.--_adj._ NIT'TY, full of nits. [A.S. _hnitu_; Ger. _niss_.]

NITHING, n[=i]'_th_ing, _adj._ wicked, mean.--_n._ a wicked man. [A.S. _níthing_; Ger. _neiding_.]

NITHSDALE, niths'd[=a]l, _n._ a hood which can be drawn over the face. [From the Jacobite Earl of _Nithsdale_ who escaped from the Tower in women's clothes brought in by his wife, in 1716.]

NITID, nit'id, _adj._ shining: gay.--_n._ N[=I]'TENCY, brightness. [L. _nitidus_--_nit[=e]re_, to shine.]

NITRE, n[=i]'t[.e]r, _n._ the nitrate of potash--also called _Saltpetre_.--_n._ N[=I]'TR[=A]TE, a salt of nitric acid.--_adjs._ N[=I]'TR[=A]TED, combined with nitric acid; N[=I]'TRIC, pertaining to, formed from, or containing or resembling nitre.--_n._ N[=I]'TRIC AC'ID, an acid got by distilling a mixture of sulphuric acid and nitrate of sodium--it acts powerfully on metals, and is known by the name of _Aqua-fortis_.--_adj._ NITRIF'EROUS, nitre-bearing.--_n._ NITRIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ N[=I]'TRIFY, to convert into nitre.--_v.i._ to become nitre:--_pr.p._ n[=i]'trifying; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ n[=i]'trified.--_ns._ N[=I]'TRITE, a salt of nitrous acid; N[=I]'TRO-BEN'ZOL, a yellow oily fluid, obtained by treating benzol with warm fuming nitric acid--used in perfumery and known as _Essence of mirbane_; N[=I]'TRO-GLYC'ERINE, a powerfully explosive compound produced by the action of nitric and sulphuric acids on glycerine--sometimes used in minute doses as a medicine.--_adjs._ NITROSE', N[=I]'TROUS, resembling, or containing, nitre.--_n._ N[=I]'TROUS OX'IDE, a combination of oxygen and nitrogen, called also _Laughing gas_, which causes, when breathed, insensibility to pain.--_adj._ N[=I]'TRY, of or producing nitre.--CUBIC NITRE, nitrate of soda, so called because it crystallises in cubes. [Fr.,--L. _nitrum_--Gr. _nitron_, natron, potash, soda--Ar. _nitrún_, _natrún_.]

NITROGEN, n[=i]'tro-jen, _n._ a gas forming nearly four-fifths of common air, a necessary constituent of every organised body, so called from its being an essential constituent of nitre.--_adjs._ NITROGEN'IC, NITROG'ENOUS.--_v.t._ NITROG'ENISE, to impregnate with nitrogen.--_n._ NITROM'ETER, an apparatus for estimating nitrogen in some of its combinations. [Gr. _nitron_, and _gennaein_, to generate.]

NITTER, nit'[.e]r, _n._ a bot-fly, the horse-bot.

NITTINGS, nit'ingz, _n.pl._ small particles of coal or refuse of any ore.

NIVAL, n[=i]'val, _adj._ snowy, growing among snow.--_adj._ NIV'EOUS, snowy, white.--_n._ NIVÔSE (n[=e]-v[=o]z'), the 4th month of the French revolutionary calendar, Dec. 21-Jan. 19. [L. _niveus_--_nix_, _nivis_, snow.]

NIX, niks, _n._ (_Teut. myth._) a water-spirit, mostly malignant.--Also NIX'IE, NIX'Y. [Ger. _nix_; cf. _Nicker_.]

NIX, niks, _n._ nothing: (_U.S._) in the postal service, anything unmailable because addressed to places which are not post-offices or to post-offices not existing in the States, &c., indicated in the address--usually in _pl._ [Ger. _nichts_, nothing.]

NIX, niks, _interj._ a roughs' street-cry of warning at the policeman, &c.

NIZAM, ni-zam', _n._ the title of the sovereign of Hyderabad in India, first used in 1713: _sing._ and _pl._ the Turkish regulars, or one of them. [Hind., contr. of _Nizam-ul-Mulk_=Regulator of the state.]

NO, n[=o], _adv._ the word of refusal or denial: not at all: never: not so: not.--_n._ a denial: a vote against or in the negative:--_pl._ NOES (n[=o]z).--_adj._ not any: not one: none.--_advs._ N[=O]'WAY, in no way, manner, or degree--also N[=O]'WAYS; N[=O]'WISE, in no way, manner, or degree.--NO ACCOUNT, worthless; NO DOUBT, surely; NO GO (see GO); NO JOKE, not a trifling matter. [A.S. _ná_, compounded of _ne_, not, and _á_ ever; _nay_, the neg. of _aye_, is Scand.]

NOACHIAN, n[=o]-[=a]'ki-an, _adj._ pertaining to the patriarch _Noah_, or to his time--also NOACH'IC.--NOAH'S ARK, a child's toy in imitation of the ark of Noah and its inhabitants.

NOB, nob, _n._ the head: a knobstick.--ONE FOR HIS NOB, a blow on the head in boxing: a point at cribbage by holding the knave of trumps. [_Knob._]

NOB, nob, _n._ a superior sort of person.--_adv._ NOB'BILY.--_adj._ NOB'BY, smart, fashionable: good, capital. [A contr. of _nobleman._]

NOBBLE, nob'l, _v.t._ (_slang_) to get hold of dishonestly, to steal: to baffle or circumvent dexterously: to injure, destroy the chances of, as a racer.--_n._ NOBB'LER, a finishing-stroke: a thimble-rigger's confederate: a dram of spirits.

NOBILITY, no-bil'i-ti, _n._ the quality of being noble: high rank: dignity: excellence: greatness of mind or character: antiquity of family: descent from noble ancestors: the persons holding the rank of nobles.--_adj._ NOBIL'IARY, pertaining to the nobility.--_v.t._ NOBIL'ITATE, to ennoble.--_n._ NOBILIT[=A]'TION.

NOBLE, n[=o]'bl, _adj._ illustrious: high in rank or character: of high birth: magnificent: generous: excellent.--_n._ a person of exalted rank: a peer: an obsolete gold coin=6s. 8d. sterling.--_n._ N[=O]'BLEMAN, a man who is noble or of rank: a peer: one above a commoner.--_adj._ N[=O]'BLE-MIND'ED, having a noble mind.--_ns._ N[=O]BLE-MIND'EDNESS; N[=O]'BLENESS, the quality of being noble: excellence in quality: dignity: greatness by birth or character: ingenuousness: worth; NOBLESS', NOBLESSE' (_Spens._), nobility: greatness: the nobility collectively; N[=O]'BLEWOMAN, the fem. of NOBLEMAN.--_adv._ N[=O]'BLY.--NOBLE ART, boxing; NOBLE METALS (see METAL).--MOST NOBLE, the style of a duke. [Fr.,--L. _nobilis_, obs. _gnobilis_--_nosc[)e]re_ (_gnosc[)e]re_), to know.]

NOBODY, n[=o]'bod-i, _n._ no body or person: no one: a person of no account, one not in fashionable society.

NOCAKE, n[=o]'k[=a]k, _n._ meal made of parched corn, once much used by North American Indians on the march. [Amer. Ind. _nookik_, meal.]

NOCENT, n[=o]'sent, _adj._ (_obs._) hurtful: guilty.--_n._ one who is hurtful or guilty.--_adv._ N[=O]'CENTLY. [L. _noc[=e]re_, to hurt.]

NOCK, nok, _n._ the forward upper end of a sail that sets with a boom: a notch, esp. that on the butt-end of an arrow for the string. [Cf. _Notch._]

NOCTAMBULATION, nok-tam-b[=u]-l[=a]'shun, _n._ walking in sleep.--_ns._ NOCTAM'BULISM, sleep-walking; NOCTAM'BULIST, one who walks in his sleep. [L. _nox_, _noctis_, night, _ambul[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to walk.]

NOCTILIO, nok-til'i-[=o], _n._ a genus of American bats.

NOCTILUCA, nok-ti-l[=u]'ka, _n._ a phosphorescent marine Infusorian, abundant around the British coasts, one of the chief causes of the phosphorescence of the waves.--_adjs._ NOCTIL[=U]'CENT, NOCTIL[=U]'CID, NOCTIL[=U]'COUS, shining in the dark. [L. _nox_, _noctis_, night, _luc[=e]re_, to shine.]

NOCTIVAGANT, nok-tiv'a-gant, _adj._ wandering in the night.--_n._ NOCTIVAG[=A]'TION.--_adj._ NOCTIV'AGOUS. [L. _nox_, _noctis_, night, _vag[=a]ri_, to wander.]

NOCTOGRAPH, nok'to-graf, _n._ a writing-frame for the blind: an instrument for recording the presence of a night-watchman on his beat.--_n._ NOCTURN'OGRAPH, an instrument for recording work done in factories, &c., during the night. [L. _nox_, Gr. _graphein_, to write.]

NOCTUA, nok't[=u]-a, _n._ a generic name variously used--giving name to the NOCT[=U]'IDÆ, a large family of nocturnal lepidopterous insects, strong-bodied moths.--_n._ NOC'TUID.--_adjs._ NOCT[=U]'IDOUS; NOC'TUIFORM; NOC'TUOID.

NOCTUARY, nok't[=u]-[=a]-ri, _n._ an account kept of the events or thoughts of night.

NOCTULE, nok't[=u]l, _n._ a vespertilionine bat. [Fr.,--L. _nox_, _noctis_, night.]

NOCTURN, nok'turn, _n._ in the early church, a service of psalms and prayers at midnight or at daybreak: a portion of the psalter used at nocturns. [Fr. _nocturne_--L. _nocturnus_--_nox_, _noctis_, night.]

NOCTURNAL, nok-tur'nal, _adj._ pertaining to night: happening by night: nightly.--_n._ an instrument for observations in the night.--_adv._ NOCTUR'NALLY.

NOCTURNE, nok'turn, _n._ a painting showing a scene by night: a piece of music of a dreamy character suitable to evening or night thoughts: a serenade: a reverie. [Fr.; cf. _Nocturn_.]

NOCUOUS, nok'[=u]-us, _adj._ hurtful.--_adv._ NOC'UOUSLY. [L. _nocuus_--_noc[=e]re_, to hurt.]

NOD, nod, _v.i._ to give a quick forward motion of the head: to bend the head in assent: to salute by a quick motion of the head: to let the head drop in weariness.--_v.t._ to incline: to signify by a nod:--_pr.p._ nod'ding; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ nod'ded.--_n._ a bending forward of the head quickly: a slight bow: a command.--_ns._ NOD'DER; NOD'DING.--_adj._ inclining the head quickly: indicating by a nod: acknowledged by a nod merely, as a nodding acquaintance: (_bot._) having the flower looking downwards.--LAND OF NOD, the state of sleep. [M. E. _nodden_, not in A.S.; but cf. Old High Ger. _hn[=o]ton_, to shake, prov. Ger. _notteln_, to wag.]

NODDLE, nod'l, _n._ properly, the projecting part at the back of the head: the head.--_v.i._ to nod repeatedly. [A variant of _knot_; cf. Old Dut. _knodde_, a knob, Ger. _knoten_, a knot.]

NODDY, nod'i, _n._ one whose head nods from weakness: a stupid fellow: a sea-fowl--easily taken: a four-wheeled carriage with a door at the back: an upright flat spring with a weight on the top, forming an inverted pendulum, indicating the vibration of any body to which it is attached. [_Nod._]

NODE, n[=o]d, _n._ a knot: a knob: a knot or entanglement: (_astron._) one of the two points in which the orbit of a planet intersects the plane of the ecliptic: (_bot._) the joint of a stem: the plot of a piece in poetry: (_math._) a point at which a curve cuts itself, and through which more than one tangent to the curve can be drawn: a similar point on a surface, where there is more than one tangent-plane.--_adjs._ NOD'AL, pertaining to nodes; NOD[=A]T'ED, knotted.--_ns._ NOD[=A]'TION, the act of making knots: the state of being knotted; NODE'-COUP'LE, a pair of points on a surface at which one plane is tangent; NODE'-CUSP, a peculiar kind of curve formed by the union of a node, a cusp, an inflection, and a bitangent.--_adjs._ NOD'ICAL, pertaining to the nodes: from a node round to the same node again; NODIF'EROUS (_bot._), bearing nodes; N[=O]'DIFORM; NOD'OSE, full of knots: having knots or swelling joints: knotty.--_n._ NODOS'ITY.--_adjs._ NOD'ULAR, of or like a nodule; NOD'UL[=A]TED, having nodules.--_ns._ NOD'ULE, NOD'ULUS, a little knot: a small lump.--_adjs._ NOD'ULED, having nodules or little knots or lumps; NODULIF'EROUS; NOD'ULIFORM; NOD'ULOSE, NOD'ULOUS (_bot._), having nodules or small knots: knotty.--_ns._ NOD'ULUS:--_pl._ NOD'UL[=I]; N[=O]'DUS:--_pl._ N[=O]'D[=I]. [L. _nodus_ (for _gnodus_), allied to _Knot_.]

NOËL, n[=o]'el, _n._ Christmas.--Same as NOWEL (q.v.).

NOEMATIC, -AL, n[=o]-[=e]-mat'ik, -al, _adj._ intellectual--also NOET'IC, -AL.--_adv._ NOEMAT'ICALLY.--_n.pl._ NOEM'ICS, intellectual science. [Gr. _no[=e]ma_--_noein_, to perceive.]

NOETIAN, n[=o]-[=e]'shi-an, _adj._ pertaining to NOË'TUS or NOË'TIANISM, a form of Patripassianism taught by _Noëtus_ of Smyrna about 200 A.D.

NOG, nog, _n._ a mug, small pot: a kind of strong ale.

NOG, nog, _n._ a tree nail driven through the heels of the shores, to secure them: one of the pins in the lever of a clutch-coupling: a piece of wood in an inner wall: a cog in mining.

NOGGIN, nog'in, _n._ a small mug or wooden cup, or its contents, a dram suitable for one person. [Ir. _noigin_, Gael. _noigean_.]

NOGGING, nog'ging, _n._ a partition of wooden posts with the spaces between filled up with bricks: brick-building filling up the spaces between the wooden posts of a partition.

NOHOW, n[=o]'how, _adv._ not in any way, not at all: (_coll._) out of one's ordinary way, out of sorts.

NOIANCE, noi'ans, _n._ (_Shak._). Same as ANNOYANCE.

NOILS, noilz, _n.pl._ short pieces of wool separated from the longer fibres by combing.

NOINT, noint, _v.t._ (_Shak._). Same as ANOINT.

NOISE, noiz, _n._ sound of any kind: any over-loud or excessive sound, din: frequent or public talk: (_Shak._) report: a musical band.--_v.t._ to spread by rumour.--_v.i._ to sound loud.--_adjs._ NOISE'FUL, noisy; NOISE'LESS, without noise: silent.--_adv._ NOISE'LESSLY.--_n._ NOISE'LESSNESS.--MAKE A NOISE IN THE WORLD, to attract great notoriety. [Fr. _noise_, quarrel; prob. from L. _nausea_, disgust; but possibly from L. _noxa_, hurt--_noc[=e]re_, to hurt.]

NOISETTE, nwo-zet', _n._ a variety of rose. [Fr.]

NOISOME, noi'sum, _adj._ injurious to health: disgusting to sight or smell.--_adv._ NOI'SOMELY.--_n._ NOI'SOMENESS. [M. E. _noy_, annoyance. Cf. _Annoy_.]

NOISY, noiz'i, _adj._ making a loud noise or sound: attended with noise: clamorous: turbulent.--_adv._ NOIS'ILY.--_n._ NOIS'INESS.

NOKES, n[=o]ks, _n._ a simpleton.

NOLENS VOLENS, n[=o]lens vol'ens, unwilling (or) willing: willy-nilly.--_n._ NOLI-ME-TANGERE (n[=o]'l[=i]-m[=e]-tan'je-r[=e]), the wild cucumber: lupus of the nose: a picture showing Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, as in John XX.--NOLLE PROSEQUI (nol'e pros'e-kw[=i]), a term used in English law to indicate that the plaintiff does not intend to go on with his action. [L. _nolle_, to be unwilling, _velle_, to be willing, _tang[)e]re_, to touch, _prosequi_, to prosecute.]

NOLL, nol, _n._ the head.

NOM, nong, _n._ name.--NOM DE PLUME, 'pen-name:' the signature assumed by an author instead of his own name--not a Fr. phrase, but one of Eng. manufacture from Fr. _nom_, a name, _de_, of, _plume_, a pen.

NOMAD, NOMADE, nom'ad, _n._ one of a tribe that wanders about in quest of game, or of pasture for their flocks.--_adj._ NOMAD'IC, of or for the feeding of cattle: pastoral: pertaining to the life of nomads: wandering: unsettled: rude.--_adv._ NOMAD'ICALLY.--_v.i._ NOM'ADISE, to lead a nomadic or vagabond life.--_n._ NOM'ADISM, the state of being nomadic: habits of nomads. [Gr. _nomas_, _nomados_--_nomos_, pasture--_nemein_, to drive to pasture.]

NOMANCY, n[=o]'man-si, _n._ divination from the letters in a name.

NO-MAN'S-LAND, n[=o]'-manz-land, _n._ a region to which no one possesses a recognised claim.

NOMARCH, nom'ärk, _n._ the ruler of a NOME, or division of a province, as in modern Greece.--_n._ NOM'ARCHY, the district governed by a nomarch. [Gr. _nomos_, district, _arch[=e]_, rule.]

NOMBRIL, nom'bril, _n._ (_her._) the navel-point.

NOME, n[=o]m, _n._ See NOMARCH.

NOMEN, n[=o]'men, _n._ a name, esp. of the _gens_ or clan, as Caius _Julius_ Cæsar. [L.]

NOMENCLATOR, n[=o]'men-kl[=a]-tor, _n._ one who gives names to things:--_fem._ N[=O]'MENCLATRESS.--_adjs._ NOMENCLAT[=O]'RIAL, N[=O]'MENCL[=A]TORY, N[=O]'MENCL[=A]T[=U]RAL.--_n._ N[=O]'MENCL[=A]TURE, a system of naming: a list of names: a calling by name: the peculiar terms of a science. [L.,--_nomen_, a name, _cal[=a]re_, to call.]

NOMIAL, n[=o]'mi-al, _n._ (_alg._) a single name or term.

NOMIC, nom'ik, _adj._ customary, applied to the common mode of spelling--opp. to _Glossic_ and _Phonetic_. [Gr. _nomos_, custom.]

NOMINAL, nom'in-al, _adj._ pertaining to a name: existing only in name: having a name.--_ns._ NOM'INALISM, the doctrine that general terms have no corresponding reality either in or out of the mind, being mere words; NOM'INALIST, one of a sect of philosophers who held the doctrine of nominalism.--_adj._ NOMINALIST'IC, pertaining to nominalism.--_adv._ NOM'INALLY. [L. _nominalis_--_nomen_, _-[)i]nis_, a name.]

NOMINATE, nom'in-[=a]t, _v.t._ to name: to mention by name: to appoint: to propose by name, as for an office or for an appointment.--_adv._ NOM'IN[=A]TELY, by name.--_ns._ NOM'IN[=A]TION, the act or power of nominating: state of being nominated; NOM'IN[=A]TION-GAME, in billiards, a game in which the player has to name beforehand what stroke he is leading.--_adjs._ NOMIN[=A]T[=I]'VAL; NOM'IN[=A]TIVE, naming: (_gram._) applied to the case of the subject.--_n._ the naming case, the case in which the subject is expressed.--_adv._ NOM'IN[=A]TIVELY.--_n._ NOM'IN[=A]TOR, one who nominates.--NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTE, a grammatical construction in which we have a subject (noun or pronoun) combined with a participle, but not connected with a finite verb or governed by any other words, as 'All being well, I will come.' [L. _nomin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to name--_nomen_.]

NOMINEE, nom-in-[=e]', _n._ one who is nominated by another: one on whose life an annuity or lease depends: one to whom the holder of a copyhold estate surrenders his interest.

NOMISTIC, n[=o]-mis'tik, _adj._ pertaining to laws founded on a sacred book. [Gr. _nomos_, a law.]

NOMOCRACY, n[=o]-mok'ra-si, _n._ a government according to a code of laws. [Gr. _nomos_, law, _kratia_--_kratein_, to rule.]

NOMOGENY, n[=o]-moj'e-ni, _n._ the origination of life according to natural law, not miracle--opp. to _Thaumatogeny_. [Gr. _nomos_, law, _geneia_--_gen[=e]s_, producing.]

NOMOGRAPHY, n[=o]-mog'ra-fi, _n._ the art of drawing up laws in proper form.--_n._ NOMOG'RAPHER, one versed in this art. [Gr. _nomos_, law, _graphein_, to write.]

NOMOLOGY, no-mol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the science of the laws of the mind.--_adj._ NOMOLOG'ICAL.--_n._ NOMOL'OGIST. [Gr. _nomos_, law, _logia_, discourse--_legein_, to speak.]

NOMOS, nom'os, _n._ in modern Greece, a nome.

NOMOTHETIC, nom-[=o]-thet'ik, _adj._ legislative: founded on a system of laws, or by a lawgiver. [Gr. _nomothet[=e]s_, a lawgiver, one of a body of heliasts or jurors in ancient Athens, charged with the decision as to any proposed change in legislation.]