Chapter L: F. Ward (26)

Curious not knowing, not exact but nice.

Pope.

And to taste Think not I shall be nice.

Milton.

4. Delicate; refined; dainty; pure.

Dear love, continue nice and chaste.

Donne.

A nice and subtile happiness.

Milton.

5. Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment. "Our author happy in a judge so nice." Pope. "Nice verbal criticism." Coleridge.

6. Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application; exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.

The difference is too nice Where ends the virtue, or begins the
vice.

Pope.

7. Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice person; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc. [Loosely & Colloquially]

To make nice of, to be scrupulous about. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; accurate; exact; correct; precise; particular; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious; squeamish; finical; effeminate; silly.

Nice"ly adv. In a nice manner.

Ni"cene (?), a. [L. Nicaenus, fr. Nicaea Nice, Gr. &?;.] Of or pertaining to Nice, a town of Asia Minor, or to the ecumenical council held there a. d. 325.

Nicene Creed (&?;), a summary of Christian faith, composed and adopted by the Council of Nice, against Arianism, a. d. 325, altered and confirmed by the Council of Constantinople, a. d. 381, and by subsequent councils.

Nice"ness (?), n. Quality or state of being nice.

Ni"cer*y (?), n. Nicety. [Colloq.] Chapman.

Ni"ce*ty (?), n.; pl. Niceties (#). [OE. niceté foolishness.] 1. The quality or state of being nice (in any of the senses of that word.).

The miller smiled of her nicety.

Chaucer.

2. Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.

3. A delicate expression, act, mode of treatment, distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.

The fineness and niceties of words.

Locke.

To a nicety, with great exactness or accuracy.

Niche (?), n. [F., fr. It. nicchia, prop., a shell-like recess in a wall, fr. nicchio a shellfish, mussel, fr. L. mytilus.] A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.

Images defended from the injuries of the weather by niches of stone
wherein they are placed.

Evelun.

Niched. (&?;), a. Placed in a niche. "Those niched shapes of noble mold." Tennyson.

Nick (&?;), n. [AS. nicor a marine monster; akin to D. nikker a water spite, Icel. nykr, ONG. nihhus a crocodile, G. nix a water sprite; cf. Gr. &?; to wash, Skr. nij. Cf. Nix.] (Northern Myth.) An evil spirit of the waters.

Old Nick, the evil one; the devil. [Colloq.]

Nick, n. [Akin to Nock.] 1. A notch cut into something; as: (a) A score for keeping an account; a reckoning. [Obs.] (b) (Print.) A notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution. W. Savage.

(c) A broken or indented place in any edge or surface; nicks in china.

2. A particular point or place considered as marked by a nick; the exact point or critical moment.

To cut it off in the very nick.

Howell.

This nick of time is the critical occasion for the gainger of a
point.

L'Estrange.

Nick, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nicking.] 1. To make a nick or nicks in; to notch; to keep count of or upon by nicks; as, to nick a stick, tally, etc.

2. To mar; to deface; to make ragged, as by cutting nicks or notches in.

And thence proceed to nicking sashes.

Prior.

The itch of his affection should not then Have nicked his
captainship.

Shak.

3. To suit or fit into, as by a correspondence of nicks; to tally with.

Words nicking and resembling one another are applicable to
different significations.

Camden.

4. To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch rightly; to strike at the precise point or time.

The just season of doing things must be nicked, and all accidents
improved.

L'Estrange.

5. To make a cross cut or cuts on the under side of (the tail of a horse, in order to make him carry it higher).

Nick, v. t. To nickname; to style. [Obs.]

For Warbeck, as you nick him, came to me.

Ford.

{ Nick"ar nut` (?), Nick"ar tree` (?) }. (Bot.) Same as Nicker nut, Nicker tree.

Nick"el (?), n. [G., fr. Sw. nickel, abbrev. from Sw. kopparnickel copper-nickel, a name given in derision, as it was thought to be a base ore of copper. The origin of the second part of the word is uncertain. Cf. Kupfer-nickel, Copper-nickel.] 1. (Chem.) A bright silver-white metallic element. It is of the iron group, and is hard, malleable, and ductile. It occurs combined with sulphur in millerite, with arsenic in the mineral niccolite, and with arsenic and sulphur in nickel glance. Symbol Ni. Atomic weight 58.6.

On account of its permanence in air and inertness to oxidation, it is used in the smaller coins, for plating iron, brass, etc., for chemical apparatus, and in certain alloys, as german silver. It is magnetic, and is very frequently accompanied by cobalt, both being found in meteoric iron.

2. A small coin made of or containing nickel; esp., a five-cent piece. [Colloq. U.S.]

Nickel silver, an alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc; -- usually called german silver; called also argentan.

Nick*el"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, nickel; specifically, designating compounds in which, as contrasted with the nickelous compounds, the metal has a higher valence; as nickelic oxide.

Nick`el*if"er*ous (?), a. [Nickel + -ferous.] Containing nickel; as, nickelferous iron.

Nick"el*ine (? or ?), n. 1. (Chem.) An alloy of nickel, a variety of German silver.

2. (Min.) Niccolite.

Nick"el*ous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, those compounds of nickel in which, as contrasted with the nickelic compounds, the metal has a lower valence; as, nickelous oxide. Frankland.

Nick"er (?), n. [From Nick, v. t.] 1. One of the night brawlers of London formerly noted for breaking windows with half- pence. [Cant] Arbuthnot.

2. The cutting lip which projects downward at the edge of a boring bit and cuts a circular groove in the wood to limit the size of the hole that is bored.

Nick"er nut` (?). A rounded seed, rather smaller than a nutmeg, having a hard smooth shell, and a yellowish or bluish color. The seeds grow in the prickly pods of tropical, woody climbers of the genus Cæsalpinia. C. Bonduc has yellowish seeds; C. Bonducella, bluish gray. [Spelt also neckar nut, nickar nut.]

Nick"er tree` (?). (Bot.) The plant producing nicker nuts. [Written also neckar tree and nickar tree.]

Nick"ing, n. [From Nick, v. t.] (Coal Mining) (a) The cutting made by the hewer at the side of the face. (b) pl. Small coal produced in making the nicking.

Nic"kle (?), n. (Zoöl.) The European woodpecker, or yaffle; -- called also nicker pecker.

Nick"nack` (?), n. See Knickknack.

Nick"nack`er*y (?), n. See Knickknackery.

Nick"name` (?), n. [OE. ekename surname, hence, a nickname, an ekename being understood as a nekename, influenced also by E. nick, v. See Eke, and Name.] A name given in contempt, derision, or sportive familiarity; a familiar or an opprobrious appellation.

Nick"name`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nicknamed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Nicknaming.] To give a nickname to; to call by a nickname.

You nickname virtue; vice you should have spoke.

Shak.

I altogether disclaim what has been nicknamed the doctrine of
finality.

Macaulay.

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Ni`co*la"i*tan (?), n. [So called from Nicolas of Antioch, mentioned in Acts vi. 5.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at Ephesus, who are censured in rev. ii. 6, 15.

Ni*co"tian (?), n. [F. nicotiane; -- so called from Nicot, who introduced it into France, a. d. 1560.] Tobacco. [R.] B. Jonson.

Ni*co"tian, a. Pertaining to, or derived from, tobacco. [R.] Bp. Hall.

||Ni*co`ti*a"na (?), n. [NL. See Nicotian.] (Bot.) A genus of American ||and Asiatic solanaceous herbs, with viscid foliage and funnel-shaped ||blossoms. Several species yield tobacco. See Tobacco.

Ni*co"ti*a*nine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotianine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) A white waxy substance having a hot, bitter taste, extracted from tobacco leaves and called also tobacco camphor.

Ni*cot"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Nicotinic.

Ni*cot"i*dine (? or ?), n. [Nicotine + pyridine.] (Chem.) A complex, oily, nitrogenous base, isomeric with nicotine, and obtained by the reduction of certain derivatives of the pyridine group.

Nic"o*tine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotine. See Nicotian.] (Chem.) An alkaloid which is the active principle of tobacco. It is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid, having an acrid odor, and an acrid burning taste. It is intensely poisonous. Ure.

Nic`o*tin"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, nicotine; nicotic; -- used specifically to designate an acid related to pyridine, obtained by the oxidation of nicotine, and called nicotinic acid.

Nic"tate (?), v. i. [L. nictare, nictatum, from nicere to beckon.] To wink; to nictitate.

Nic*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nictatio &?; cf. F. nictation.] the act of winking; nictitation.

Nic"ti*tate (?), v. i. [See Nictate.] To wink; to nictate.

Nictitating membrane (Anat.), a thin membrane, found in many animals at the inner angle, or beneath the lower lid, of the eye, and capable of being drawn across the eyeball; the third eyelid; the haw.

Nic`ti*ta"tion (?), n. The act of winking.

Nid`a*men"tal (?), a. [L. nidamentum materials for a nest, fr. nidus nest. See Nest.] (Zoöl.) Of, pertaining to, or baring, eggs or egg capsules; as, the nidament capsules of certain gastropods; nidamental glands. See Illust. of Dibranchiata.

Ni"da*ry (?), n. [L. nidus a nest.] A collection of nests. [R.] velyn.

Nide (?), n. [L. nidus a nest: cf. F. nid.] A nestful; a brood; as, a nide of pheasants. [Obs.]

Ni"der*ing (?), a. [See Niding.] Infamous; dastardly. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.

Nidg"er*y (?), n. [See Nidget.] A trifle; a piece of foolery. [Obs.] Skinner.

Nidg"et (?), n. [Written also nigget, nigeot.] [Cf. F. nigaud a booby, fool, OF. niger to play the fool.] A fool; an idiot, a coward. [Obs.] Camden.

Nid"i*fi*cate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidificated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidificating.] [L. nidificare, nidificatum; nidus nest + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy, and cf. nest.] To make a nest.

Where are the fishes which nidificated in trees?

Lowell.

Nid`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nidification.] The act or process of building a nest.

Ni"ding (n"dng), n. [Written also nithing.] [AS. nðing, fr. nð wickness, malice, hatred.] A coward; a dastard; -- a term of utmost opprobrium. [Obs.]

He is worthy to be called a niding.

Howell.

Ni"dor (?), n. [L.] Scent or savor of meat or food, cooked or cooking. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

Ni"dor*ose` (?), a. Nidorous. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Ni"dor*ous (?), a. [L. nidorosus steaming, reeking: cf. F. nidoreux. See Nidor.] Resembling the smell or taste of roast meat, or of corrupt animal matter. [R.]

Nid"u*lant (?), a. [L. nidulans, p. pr.: cf. F. Nidulant.] 1. Nestling, as a bird in its nest.

2. (Bot.) Lying loose in pulp or cotton within a berry or pericarp, as in a nest.

Nid"u*late (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidulating.] [L. nidulari, fr. nidulus, dim. of nidus a nest.] To make a nest, as a bird. [R.] Cockeram.

Nid`u*la"tion (?), n. The time of remaining in the nest. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Nid"u*lite (?), n. [L. nidulus a little nest.] (Paleon.) A Silurian fossil, formerly supposed to consist of eggs.

||Ni"dus (?), n.; pl. nidi (#). [L. See Nidi, Nest.] A nest: a ||repository for the eggs of birds, insects, etc.; a breeding place; ||esp., the place or substance where parasites or the germs of a ||disease effect lodgment or are developed.

Niece (?), n. [OE. nece, F. nièce, LL. neptia, for L. neptis a granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos. See Nephew.] 1. A relative, in general; especially, a descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a grandson. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Wyclif. Shak.

2. A daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law.

Nief (?), n. See Neif, the fist.

Ni*el"list (?), n. One who practices the style of ornamentation called niello.

Ni*el"lo (?), n. [It. niello, LL. nigellum a black of blackish enamel, fr. L. nigellus, dim. of niger black. See Negro, and cf. Anneal.] 1. A metallic alloy of a deep black color.

2. The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.

3. A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.

4. An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.

Ni"fle (nf"'l), n. [OF.] A trifle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nig"gard (?), n. [Icel. hnöggr niggardly, stingy + -ard; cf. Sw. njugg, AS. hneáw.] A person meanly close and covetous; one who spends grudgingly; a stingy, parsimonious fellow; a miser. Chaucer.

A penurious niggard of his wealth.

Milton.

Be niggards of advice on no pretense.

Pope.

Nig"gard, a. Like a niggard; meanly covetous or parsimonious; niggardly; miserly; stingy.

Nig"gard, v. t. & i. To act the niggard toward; to be niggardly. [R.] Shak.

Nig"gard*ise (?), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nig"gard*ish, a. Somewhat niggard.

Nig"gard*li*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being niggard; meanness in giving or spending; parsimony; stinginess.

Niggardliness is not good husbandry.

Addison.

Nig"gard*ly, a. Meanly covetous or avaricious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.

Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is not for the
steward to be niggardly.

Bp. Hall.

Syn. -- Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing; miserly; penurious; sordid; stingy. See Avaricious.

Nig"gard*ly, adv. In a niggard manner.

Nig"gard*ness, n. Niggardliness. Sir P. Sidney.

Nig"gard*ous (?), a. Niggardly. [Obs.]

Covetous gathering and niggardous keeping.

Sir T. More.

Nig"gard*ship, n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.

Nig"gard*y (?), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

nigged (?), n. [Prov. E. nig to clip money.] (Masonry) Hammer-dressed; -- said of building stone.

Nig"ger (?), n. A negro; -- in vulgar derision or depreciation.

Nig"gish (?), a. [See Niggard.] Niggardly. [Obs.]

Nig"gle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Niggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Niggling (?).] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf. also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Nig"gle, v. t. 1. To trifle or play.

Take heed, daughter, You niggle not with your conscience and
religion.

Massinger.

2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.]

3. To fret and snarl about trifles. [Prov. Eng.]

Nig"gler (?), n. One who niggles.

Nigh (?), a. [Compar. Nigher (?); superl. Nighest, or Next (&?;).] [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS. neáh, n&?;h; akin to D. na, adv., OS. nh, a., OHG. nh, G. nah, a., nach to, after, Icel. n (in comp.) nigh, Goth. n&?;hw, n&?;hwa, adv., nigh. Cf. Near, Neighbor, Next.] 1. Not distant or remote in place or time; near.

The loud tumult shows the battle nigh.

Prior.

2. Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh kinsmen." Knolles.

Ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph. ii. 13.

Syn. -- Near; close; adjacent; contiguous; present; neighboring.

Nigh, adv. [AS. neáh, n&?;h. See Nigh, a.] 1. In a situation near in place or time, or in the course of events; near.

He was sick, nigh unto death.

Phil. ii. 27.

He drew not nigh unheard; the angel bright, Ere he drew nigh, his
radiant visage turned.

Milton.

2. Almost; nearly; as, he was nigh dead.

Nigh, v. t. & i. To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii. 2).

Nigh, prep. Near to; not remote or distant from. "was not this nigh shore?" Shak.

Nigh"ly, adv. In a near relation in place, time, degree, etc.; within a little; almost. [Obs.]

A cube and a sphere . . . nighly of the same bigness.

Locke.

Nigh"ness, n. The quality or state of being nigh. [R.] "Nighness of blood." Holished.

Night (?), n. [OE. night, niht, AS. neaht, niht; akin to D. nacht, OS. & OHG. naht, G. nacht, Icel. n&?;tt, Sw. natt, Dan. nat, Goth. nachts, Lith. naktis, Russ. noche, W. nos, Ir. nochd, L. nox, noctis, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nakta, nakti. &radic; 265. Cf. Equinox, Nocturnal.] 1. That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight, starlight, or artificial light.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.

Gen. i. 5.

2. Hence: (a) Darkness; obscurity; concealment.

Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night.

Pope.

(b) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. (c) A state of affliction; adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. (d) The period after the close of life; death.

She closed her eyes in everlasting night.

Dryden.

(e) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when nature seems to sleep. "Sad winter's night". Spenser.

Night is sometimes used, esp. with participles, in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, night- blooming, night-born, night-warbling, etc.

Night by night, Night after night, nightly; many nights.

So help me God, as I have watched the night, Ay, night by night, in
studying good for England.

Shak.

-- Night bird. (Zoöl.) (a) The moor hen (Gallinula chloropus). (b) The Manx shearwater (Puffinus Anglorum). -- Night blindness. (Med.) See Hemeralopia. - - Night cart, a cart used to remove the contents of privies by night. -- Night churr, (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night crow, a bird that cries in the night. -- Night dog, a dog that hunts in the night, -- used by poachers. -- Night fire. (a) Fire burning in the night. (b) Ignis fatuus; Will-o'-the-wisp; Jask-with-a- lantern. -- Night flyer (Zoöl.), any creature that flies in the night, as some birds and insects. -- night glass, a spyglass constructed to concentrate a large amount of light, so as see objects distinctly at night. Totten. -- Night green, iodine green. -- Night hag, a witch supposed to wander in the night. -- Night hawk (Zoöl.), an American bird (Chordeiles Virginianus), allied to the goatsucker. It hunts the insects on which it feeds toward evening, on the wing, and often, diving down perpendicularly, produces a loud whirring sound, like that of a spinning wheel. Also sometimes applied to the European goatsuckers. It is called also bull bat. -- Night heron (Zoöl.), any one of several species of herons of the genus Nycticorax, found in various parts of the world. The best known species is Nycticorax griseus, or N. nycticorax, of Europe, and the American variety (var. nævius). The yellow-crowned night heron (Nycticorax violaceus) inhabits the Southern States. Called also qua-bird, and squawk. -- Night house, a public house, or inn, which is open at night. -- Night key, a key for unfastening a night latch. -- Night latch, a kind of latch for a door, which is operated from the outside by a key. - - Night monkey (Zoöl.), an owl monkey. -- night moth (Zoöl.), any one of the noctuids. -- Night parrot (Zoöl.), the kakapo. -- Night piece, a painting representing some night scene, as a moonlight effect, or the like. -- Night rail, a loose robe, or garment, worn either as a nightgown, or over the dress at night, or in sickness. [Obs.] -- Night raven (Zoöl.), a bird of ill omen that cries in the night; esp., the bittern. -- Night rule. (a) A tumult, or frolic, in the night; -- as if a corruption, of night revel. [Obs.] (b) Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails, at night.

What night rule now about this haunted grove?

Shak.

-- Night sight. (Med.) See Nyctolopia. -- Night snap, a night thief. [Cant] Beau. & Fl.

-- Night soil, human excrement; -- so called because in cities it is collected by night and carried away for manure. -- Night spell, a charm against accidents at night. -- Night swallow (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Night walk, a walk in the evening or night. -- Night walker. (a) One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist; a noctambulist. (b) One who roves about in the night for evil purposes; specifically, a prostitute who walks the streets. -- Night walking. (a) Walking in one's sleep; somnambulism; noctambulism. (b) Walking the streets at night with evil designs. -- Night warbler (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis); -- called also night singer. [prov. Eng.] -- Night watch. (a) A period in the night, as distinguished by the change of watch. (b) A watch, or guard, to aford protection in the night. -- Night watcher, one who watches in the night; especially, one who watches with evil designs. -- Night witch. Same as Night hag, above.

Night"-bloom`ing (?), a. Blooming in the night.

Night-blooming cereus. (Bot.) See Note under Cereus.

Night"cap` (?), n. 1. A cap worn in bed to protect the head, or in undress.

2. A potion of spirit drank at bedtime. [Cant] Wright.

Night"dress` (?), n. A nightgown.

Night"ed, a. 1. Darkness; clouded. [R.] Shak.

2. Overtaken by night; belated. Beau. & Fl.

Night"er*tale (?), n. [Cf. Icel. nttarpel.] period of night; nighttime. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Night"-eyed` (?), a. Capable of seeing at night; sharp-eyed. "Your night-eyed Tiberius." B. Jonson.

Night"fall` (?), n. The close of the day. Swift.

Night"-far`ing (?), a. Going or traveling in the night. Gay.

Night"gown` (?), n. A loose gown used for undress; also, a gown used for a sleeping garment.

Night"in*gale (?), n. [OE. nihtegale,nightingale, AS. nihtegale; niht night + galan to sing, akin to E. yell; cf. D. nachtegaal, OS. nahtigala, OHG. nahtigala, G. nachtigall, Sw. näktergal, Dan. nattergal. See Night, and Yell.] 1. (Zoöl.) A small, plain, brown and gray European song bird (Luscinia luscinia). It sings at night, and is celebrated for the sweetness of its song.

2. (Zoöl.) A larger species (Lucinia philomela), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits; the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied species.

Mock nightingale. (Zoöl.) See Blackcap, n., 1 (a).

Night"ish, a. Of or pertaining to night.

Night"jar` (?), n. A goatsucker, esp. the European species. See Illust. of Goatsucker.

Night"less, a. Having no night.

Night"long` (?; 115), a. Lasting all night.

Night"ly, a. Of or pertaining to the night, or to every night; happening or done by night, or every night; as, nightly shades; he kept nightly vigils.

Night"ly, adv. At night; every night.

Night"man (?), n.; pl. Nightmen (&?;). One whose business is emptying privies by night.

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Night"mare` (?), n. [Night + mare incubus. See Mare incubus.] 1. A fiend or incubus formerly supposed to cause trouble in sleep.

2. A condition in sleep usually caused by improper eating or by digestive or nervous troubles, and characterized by a sense of extreme uneasiness or discomfort (as of weight on the chest or stomach, impossibility of motion or speech, etc.), or by frightful or oppressive dreams, from which one wakes after extreme anxiety, in a troubled state of mind; incubus. Dunglison.

3. Hence, any overwhelming, oppressive, or stupefying influence.

Night"shade` (?), n. [AS. nichtscadu.] (Bot.) A common name of many species of the genus Solanum, given esp. to the Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, a low, branching weed with small white flowers and black berries reputed to be poisonous.

Deadly nightshade. Same as Belladonna (a). -- Enchanter's nightshade. See under Enchanter. -- Stinking nightshade. See Henbane. - - Three-leaved nightshade. See Trillium.

Night"shirt` (?), n. A kind of nightgown for men.

Night"time` (?), n. The time from dusk to dawn; -- opposed to daytime.

Night"ward (?), a. Approaching toward night.

Ni*gran"i*line (? or ?), n. [L. niger black + E. aniline.] (Chem.) The complex, nitrogenous, organic base and dyestuff called also aniline black.

Ni*gres"cent (?), a. [L. nigrescens, p. pr. of nigrescere to grow black, fr. niger black. See Negro.] Growing black; changing to a black color; approaching to blackness. Johnson.

Nig`ri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nigrificare to blacken; niger black + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] The act or process of making black. [R.] Johnson.

Ni"grine (?), n. [L. niger black: cf. F. nigrine.] (Min.) A ferruginous variety of rutile.

Nig"ri*tude (?), n. [L. nigritudo, fr. niger black.] Blackness; the state of being black. Lamb.

Nig"ro*man`cie (?), n. Necromancy. [Obs.]

Nig"ro*man`cien (?), n. A necromancer. [Obs.]

These false enchanters or nigromanciens.

Chaucer.

Ni"gro*sine (? or ?), n. [From L. niger black.] (Chem.) A dark blue dyestuff, of the induline group; -- called also azodiphenyl blue.

||Ni"gua (?), n. [Sp.] (Zoöl.) The chigoe.

||Ni"hil (?), n. [L.] Nothing.

||Nihil album [L., white nothing] (Chem.), oxide of zinc. See under ||Zinc. -- ||Nihil debet [L., he owes nothing] (Law), the general issue ||in certain actions of debt. -- ||Nihil dicit [L., he says nothing] ||(Law), a declinature by the defendant to plead or answer. Tomlins.

Ni"hil*ism (?), n. [L. nihil nothing: cf. F. nihilisme. See Annihilate.] 1. Nothingness; nihility.

2. The doctrine that nothing can be known; scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality.

3. (Politics) The theories and practices of the Nihilists.

Ni"hil*ist, n. [Cf. F. nihiliste. See Nihilism.] 1. One who advocates the doctrine of nihilism; one who believes or teaches that nothing can be known, or asserted to exist.

2. (Politics) A member of a secret association (esp. in Russia), which is devoted to the destruction of the present political, religious, and social institutions.

Ni`hil*is"tic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, nihilism.

Ni*hil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. nihilité. See Nihilism.] Nothingness; a state of being nothing.

Nil (?). [See Nill, v. t.] Will not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nil, n. & a. [L., a contr. of nihil.] Nothing; of no account; worthless; -- a term often used for canceling, in accounts or bookkeeping. A. J. Ellis.

Nile (?), n. [L. Nilus, Gr. &?;.] The great river of Egypt.

Nile bird. (Zoöl.) (a) The wryneck. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The crocodile bird. -- Nile goose (Zoöl.), the Egyptian goose. See Note under Goose, 2.

Nil"gau (?), n. (Zoöl.) see Nylghau.

Nill (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nilling.] [AS. nilan, nyllan; ne not + willan to will. See No, and Will.] Not to will; to refuse; to reject. [Obs.]

Certes, said he, I nill thine offered grace.

Spenser.

Nill, v. i. To be unwilling; to refuse to act.

The actions of the will are "velle" and "nolle," to will and nill.

Burton.

Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not.

Nill, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. neul star, light. Cf. Nebula.] 1. Shining sparks thrown off from melted brass.

2. Scales of hot iron from the forge. Knight.

Ni*lom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the Nile + &?; measure: cf. F. nilomètre.] An instrument for measuring the rise of water in the Nile during its periodical flood.

Ni"lo*scope (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?; the Nile + &?; to observe.] A Nilometer.

Ni*lot"ic (?), a. [L. Niloticus, fr. Nilus th Nile, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nilotique.] Of or pertaining to the river Nile; as, the Nilotic crocodile.

Nilt (?). [Contr. fr. ne wilt.] Wilt not. [Obs.]

Nim (?), v. t. [imp. Nam (?) or Nimmed (&?;); p. p. Nomen (?) or Nome (&?;).] [AS. niman. &radic; 7. Cf. Nimble.] To take; to steal; to filch. [Obs.]

This canon it in his hand nam.

Chaucer.

Nim*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nimbifer; nimbus a cloud + ferre to bear.] Serving to bring clouds or stormy weather.

Nim"ble (?), a. [Compar. Nimbler (?); superl. Nimblest (?).] [OE. nimel, prob. orig., quick at seizing, fr. nimen to take, AS. niman; akin to D. nemen, G. nehmen, OHG. neman, Icel. nema, Goth. nima, and prob. to Gr. &?; to distribute. &radic; 7. Cf. Nomand, Numb.] Light and quick in motion; moving with ease and celerity; lively; swift.

Through the mid seas the nimble pinnace sails.

Pope.

Nimble is sometimes used in the formation of self- explaining compounds; as, nimble-footed, nimble- pinioned, nimble-winged, etc.

Nimble Will (Bot.), a slender, branching, American grass (Muhlenbergia diffusa), of some repute for grazing purposes in the Mississippi valley.

Syn. -- Agile; quick; active; brisk; lively; prompt.

Nim"ble*ness, n. The quality of being nimble; lightness and quickness in motion; agility; swiftness.

Nim"bless (?), n. Nimbleness. [Obs.] Spenser.

Nim"bly, adv. In a nimble manner; with agility; with light, quick motion.

Nim*bose" (?), a. [L. nimbosus, fr. nimbus cloud.] Cloudy; stormy; tempestuous.

Nim"bus (?), n.; pl. L. Nimbi (#), E. Nimbuses (#). [L., a rain storm, a rain cloud, the cloudshaped which enveloped the gods when they appeared on earth.] 1. (Fine Arts) A circle, or disk, or any indication of radiant light around the heads of divinities, saints, and sovereigns, upon medals, pictures, etc.; a halo. See Aureola, and Glory, n., 5.

"The nimbus is of pagan origin." "As an atribute of power, the nimbus is often seen attached to the heads of evil spirits." Fairholl.

2. (Meteor.) A rain cloud; one of the four principal varieties of clouds. See Cloud.

Ni*mi"e*ty (?), n. [L. nimietas, fr. nimius, a., nimis, adv., too much.] State of being in excess. [R.]

There is a nimiety, a too-muchess, in all Germans.

Coleridge.

Nim"i*ous (?), a. [L. nimius.] Excessive; extravagant; inordinate. [Obs.]

Nim"mer (?), n. [From Nim.] A thief. [Obs.]

Nin (?). [Fr. ne in.] Not in. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nin"com*poop (?), n. [A corruption of non compos.] A fool; a silly or stupid person. [Law]

An old ninnyhammer, a dotard, a nincompoop, is the best language
she can afford me.

Addison.

Nine (?), a. [OE. nine, nihen, AS. nigon, nigan; akin to D. & LG. negen, OS. & OFries. nigun, OHG. niun, G. neun, Icel. nu, sw. nio, Dan. ni, Goth. niun, Ir. & Gael. naoi, W. naw, L. novem, Gr. &?;, Skr. navan; of unknown origin. &radic;307. Cf. Novembeer.] Eight and one more; one less than ten; as, nine miles.

Nine men's morris. See Morris. - - Nine points circle (Geom.), a circle so related to any given triangle as to pass through the three points in which the perpendiculars from the angles of the triangle upon the opposite sides (or the sides produced) meet the sides. It also passes through the three middle points of the sides of the triangle and through the three middle points of those parts of the perpendiculars that are between their common point of meeting and the angles of the triangle. The circle is hence called the nine points or six points circle.

Nine, n. 1. The number greater than eight by a unit; nine units or objects.

2. A symbol representing nine units, as 9 or ix.

The Nine, the nine Muses.

Nine"-bark` (?), n. (Bot.) A white-flowered rosaceous shrub (Neillia, or Spiræa, opulifolia), common in the Northern United States. The bark separates into many thin layers, whence the name.

Nine"-eyes` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The lamprey.

Nine"fold` (?), a. Nine times repeated.

Nine"holes` (?), n. pl. A game in which nine holes are made in the ground, into which a ball is bowled.

Nine"-kill`er (?), n. [So called because it is believed to kill and impale on thorns nine birds, etc., in succession.] (Zoöl.) The northern butcher bird.

Nine"pence (?), n.; pl. Ninepences (&?;). 1. An old English silver coin, worth nine pence.

2. A New England name for the Spanish real, a coin formerly current in the United States, as valued at twelve and a half cents.

Nine"pins (?), n. pl. A game played with nine pins, or pieces of wood, set on end, at which a wooden ball is bowled to knock them down; bowling.

In the United States, ten pins are used for this game, which is therefore often called tenpins.

Nine"score` (?), a. Nine times twenty, or one hundred and eighty. -- n. The product of nine times twenty; ninescore units or objects.

Nine"teen` (?), a. [AS. nigont&?;ne, nigont&?;ne. See Nine, and Ten.] Nine and ten; eighteen and one more; one less than twenty; as, nineteen months.

Nine"teen`, n. 1. The number greater than eighteen by a unit; the sum of ten and nine; nineteen units or objects.

2. A symbol for nineteen units, as 19 or xix.

Nine"teenth` (?), a. [Cf. AS. nigonteó&?;a.] 1. Following the eighteenth and preceding the twentieth; coming after eighteen others.

2. Constituting or being one of nineteen equal parts into which anything is divided.

Nine"teenth`, n. 1. The quotient of a unit divided by nineteen; one of nineteen equal parts of anything.

2. The next in order after the eighteenth.

3. (Mus.) An interval of two octaves and a fifth.

Nine"ti*eth (?), a. 1. Next in order after the eighty-ninth.

2. Constituting or being one of ninety equal parts.

Nine"ti*eth, n. 1. The quotient of a unit divided by ninety; one of ninety equal parts of anything.

2. The next in order after the eighty- ninth.

Nine"ty (?), a. [See Nine, and cf. Forty.] Nine times ten; eighty-nine and one more; as, ninety men.

Nine"ty, n.; pl. Nineties (&?;). 1. The sum of nine times ten; the number greater by a unit than eighty-nine; ninety units or objects.

2. A symbol representing ninety units, as 90 or xc.

Nin"ny (?), n.; pl. Ninnies (#). [Cf. It. ninno, ninna, a baby, Sp. niño, niña, child, infant, It. ninna, ninna nanna, lullably, prob. fr. ni, na, as used in singing a child to sleep.] A fool; a simpleton. Shak.

Nin"ny*ham`mer (?), n. A simpleton; a silly person. [Colloq.] Addison.

Ninth (?), a. [From Nine; cf. AS. nigoða.] 1. Following the eight and preceding the tenth; coming after eight others.

2. Constituting or being one of nine equal parts into which anything is divided.

Ninth, n. 1. The quotient of one divided by nine; one of nine equal parts of a thing; the next after the eighth.

2. (Mus.) (a) An interval containing an octave and a second. (b) A chord of the dominant seventh with the ninth added.

Ninth"ly, adv. In the ninth place.

Nin"ut (?), n. (Zoöl.) The magpie. [Prov. Eng.]

Ni"o*bate (?), n. [See Niobium.] (Chem.) Same as Columbate.

Ni"o*be (?), n. [L. Nioba, Niobe, Gr. &?;.] (Class, Myth.) The daughter of Tantalus, and wife of Amphion, king of Thebes. Her pride in her children provoked Apollo and Diana, who slew them all. Niobe herself was changed by the gods into stone.

Ni*ob"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Same as Columbic.

Ni"o*bite (?), n. (Min.) Same as Columbite.

Ni*o"bi*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. & E. Niobe.] (Chem.) A later name of columbium. See Columbium.

Ni*o"po (?), n. A kind of snuff prepared by the natives of Venezuela from the roasted seeds of a leguminous tree (Piptadenia peregrina), thence called niopo tree.

Nip (?), n. [LG. & D. nippen to sip; akin to Dan. nippe, G. nippen.] A sip or small draught; esp., a draught of intoxicating liquor; a dram.

Nip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nipped (?), less properly Nipt; p. pr. & vb. n. Nipping (?).] [OE. nipen; cf. D. niipen to pinch, also knippen to nip, clip, pinch, snap, knijpen to pinch, LG. knipen, G. kneipen, kneifen, to pinch, cut off, nip, Lith. knebti.] 1. To catch and inclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon.

May this hard earth cleave to the Nadir hell, Down, down, and close
again, and nip me flat, If I be such a traitress.

Tennyson.

2. To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting with two meeting edges of anything; to clip.

The small shoots . . . must be nipped off.

Mortimer.

3. Hence: To blast, as by frost; to check the growth or vigor of; to destroy.

4. To vex or pain, as by nipping; hence, to taunt.

And sharp remorse his heart did prick and nip.

Spenser.

To nip in the bud, to cut off at the verycommencement of growth; to kill in the incipient stage.

Nip, n. 1. A seizing or closing in upon; a pinching; as, in the northern seas, the nip of masses of ice.

2. A pinch with the nails or teeth.

3. A small cut, or a cutting off the end.

4. A blast; a killing of the ends of plants by frost.

5. A biting sarcasm; a taunt. Latimer.

6. (Naut.) A short turn in a rope.

Nip and tuck, a phrase signifying equality in a contest. [Low, U.S.]

Nip"per (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, nips.

2. A fore tooth of a horse. The nippers are four in number.

3. A satirist. [Obs.] Ascham.

4. A pickpocket; a young or petty thief. [Old Cant]

5. (Zoöl.) (a) The cunner. (b) A European crab (Polybius Henslowii).

Nip"per*kin, n. [See 1st Nip.] A small cup. [Obs.]

Nip"pers (?), n. pl. [From 2d Nip.] 1. Small pinchers for holding, breaking, or cutting.

2. (Mach.) A device with fingers or jaws for seizing an object and holding or conveying it; as, in a printing press, a clasp for catching a sheet and conveying it to the form.

3. (Naut.) A number of rope-yarns wound together, used to secure a cable to the messenger.

Nip"ping (?), a. Biting; pinching; painful; destructive; as, a nipping frost; a nipping wind.

Nip"ping*ly, adv. In a nipping manner.

Nip"pi*tate (?), a. [Cf. 1st Nip.] Peculiary strong and good; -- said of ale or liquor. [Old Cant]

'T will make a cup of wine taste nippitate.

Chapman.

Nip`pi*ta"to (?), n. Strong liquor. [Old Cant] Beau. & Fl.

Nip"ple (?), n. [Formerly neble, a dim. of neb. See Neb, Nib.] 1. (Anat.) The protuberance through which milk is drawn from the breast or mamma; the mammilla; a teat; a pap.

2. The orifice at which any animal liquid, as the oil from an oil bag, is discharged. [R.] Derham.

3. Any small projection or article in which there is an orifice for discharging a fluid, or for other purposes; as, the nipple of a nursing bottle; the nipple of a percussion lock, or that part on which the cap is put and through which the fire passes to the charge.

4. (Mech.) A pipe fitting, consisting of a short piece of pipe, usually provided with a screw thread at each end, for connecting two other fittings.

Solder nipple, a short pipe, usually of brass, one end of which is tapered and adapted for attachment to the end of a lead pipe by soldering.

<! p. 977 !>

Nip"ple*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A yellow-flowered composite herb (Lampsana communis), formerly used as an external application to the nipples of women; -- called also dock-cress.

||Nir*va"na (?), n. [Skr. nirva.] In the Buddhist system of religion, ||the final emancipation of the soul from transmigration, and ||consequently a beatific enfrachisement from the evils of worldly ||existence, as by annihilation or absorption into the divine. See ||Buddhism.

Nis (?). [From ne is.] Is not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Ni"san (?), n. [Heb. nsn.] The first month of the Jewish ||ecclesiastical year, formerly answering nearly to the month of April, ||now to March, of the Christian calendar. See Abib.

Ni"sey (?), n.; pl. Nyseys. A simpleton. [Obs.]

||Ni"si (?), conj. [L.] Unless; if not.

In legal proceedings, this word is used to indicate that any order, etc., shall take effect at a given time, unless before that time the order, etc., in modified, or something else is done to prevent its taking effect. Continuance nisi is a conditional continuance of the case till the next term of the court, unless otherwise disposed of in the mean time.

Nisi prius (Law), unless before; -- a phrase applied to terms of court, held generally by a single judge, with a jury, for the trial of civil causes. The term originated in a legal fiction. An issue of fact being made up, it is, according to the English practice, appointed by the entry on the record, or written proceedings, to be tried by a jury from the county of which the proceedings are dated, at Westminster, unless before the day appointed (nisi prius) the judges shall have come to the county in question (which they always do) and there try the cause. See In banc, under Banc.

Nis"te (?). [Contr. from ne wiste.] Wist not; knew not. [Obs.] Chaucer.

||Ni"sus (?), n. [L., fr. niti, p. p. nisus, to strive.] A striving; an ||effort; a conatus.

A nisus or energizing towards a presented object.

Hickok.

Nit (?), n. [AS. hnitu; akin to D. neet, G. niss, OHG. niz; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;, Icel. gnit, Sw. gnet, Dan. gnid, Russ. & Pol. gnida, Bohem. hnida, W. nedd.] (Zoöl.) The egg of a louse or other small insect.

Nit grass (Bot.), a pretty annual European grass (Gastridium lendigerum), with small spikelets somewhat resembling a nit. It is also found in California and Chili.

Ni"ten*cy (?), n. [L. nitens, p. pr. of nitere to shine.] Brightness; luster. [R.]

Ni"ten*cy, n. [From L. nitens, p. pr. of niti to strive.] Endeavor; effort; tendency. [R.] Boyle.

{ Ni"ter, Ni"tre } (?), n. [F. nitre, L. nitrum native soda, natron, Gr. &?;; cf. Ar. nitn, natrn natron. Cf. Natron.] 1. (Chem.) A white crystalline semitransparent salt; potassium nitrate; saltpeter. See Saltpeter.

2. (Chem.) Native sodium carbonate; natron. [Obs.]

For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet
thine iniquity is marked before me.

Jer. ii. 22.

Cubic niter, a deliquescent salt, sodium nitrate, found as a native incrustation, like niter, in Peru and Chili, whence it is known also as Chili saltpeter. -- Niter bush (Bot.), a genus (Nitraria) of thorny shrubs bearing edible berries, and growing in the saline plains of Asia and Northern Africa.

Nith"ing (?), n. [Obs.] See Niding.

Nit"id (?), a. [L. nitidus, fr. nitere. See 3d Neat.] 1. Bright; lustrous; shining. [R.] Boyle.

2. Gay; spruce; fine; -- said of persons. [R.] T. Reeve.

Ni`tra*nil"ic (?), a. [Nitro- + chloranil + -ic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex organic acid produced as a white crystalline substance by the action of nitrous acid on hydroquinone.

Ni*tran"i*line (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + aniline.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of aniline. In general they are yellow crystalline substances.

Ni"trate (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrate.] (Chem.) A salt of nitric acid.

Nitrate of silver, a white crystalline salt (AgNO3), used in photography and as a cauterizing agent; - - called also lunar caustic.

Ni"tra*ted (?), a. 1. (Chem.) Combined, or impregnated, with nitric acid, or some of its compounds.

2. (Photog.) Prepared with nitrate of silver.

Ni"tra*tine (?), n. (Min.) A mineral occurring in transparent crystals, usually of a white, sometimes of a reddish gray, or lemon-yellow, color; native sodium nitrate. It is used in making nitric acid and for manure. Called also soda niter.

Ni"tre (?), n. (Chem.) See Niter.

Ni"tri*a*ry (?), n. [See Niter.] An artificial bed of animal matter for the manufacture of niter by nitrification. See Nitrification, 2.

Ni"tric (?), a. [Cf. F. nitrique. See Niter.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrogen; specifically, designating any one of those compounds in which, as contrasted with nitrous compounds, the element has a higher valence; as, nitric oxide; nitric acid.

Nitric acid, a colorless or yellowish liquid obtained by distilling a nitrate with sulphuric acid. It is powerfully corrosive, being a strong acid, and in decomposition a strong oxidizer. -- Nitric anhydride, a white crystalline oxide of nitrogen (N2O5), called nitric pentoxide, and regarded as the anhydride of nitric acid. -- Nitric oxide, a colorless poisous gas (NO) obtained by treating nitric acid with copper. On contact with the air or with oxygen, it becomes reddish brown from the formation of nitric dioxide or peroxide.

Ni"tride (? or ?), n. [fromNitrogen.] (Chem.) A binary compound of nitrogen with a more metallic element or radical; as, boric nitride.

Ni*trif"er*ous (?), a. [Niter + -ferous.] Bearing niter; yielding, or containing, niter.

Ni`tri*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrification. see Nitrify.] 1. (Chem.) (a) The act, process, or result of combining with nitrogen or some of its compounds. (b) The act or process of oxidizing nitrogen or its compounds so as to form nitrous or nitric acid.

2. A process of oxidation, in which nitrogenous vegetable and animal matter in the presence of air, moisture, and some basic substances, as lime or alkali carbonate, is converted into nitrates.

The process is going on at all times in porous soils and in water contaminated with nitrogenous matter, and is supposed to be due to the presence of an organized ferment or ferments, called nitrification ferments. In former times the process was extensively made use of in the production of saltpeter.

Ni"tri*fi`er (?), n. (Chem.) An agent employed in nitrification.

Ni"tri*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrifying (?).] [Niter + -fy: cf. F. nitrifer. See Niter.] (Chem.) To combine or impregnate with nitrogen; to convert, by oxidation, into nitrous or nitric acid; to subject to, or produce by, nitrification.

Ni"trile (? or ?), n. [See Nitro- .] (Chem.) Any one of a series of cyanogen compounds; particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.

The nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic nitrile, and methyl cyanide is acetic nitrile.

Ni"trite (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrite. See Niter.] (Chem.) A salt of nitrous acid.

Amyl nitrite, a yellow oily volatile liquid, used in medicine as a depressant and a vaso-dilator. Its inhalation produces an instantaneous flushing of the face.

Ni"tro- (&?;). 1. A combining form or an adjective denoting the presence of niter.

2. (Chem.) A combining form (used also adjectively) designating certain compounds of nitrogen or of its acids, as nitrohydrochloric, nitrocalcite; also, designating the group or radical NO2, or its compounds, as nitrobenzene.

Nitro group, the radical NO2; -- called also nitroxyl.

Ni`tro*ben"zene (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + benzene.] (Chem.) A yellow aromatic liquid (C6H5.NO2), produced by the action of nitric acid on benzene, and called from its odor imitation oil of bitter almonds, or essence of mirbane. It is used in perfumery, and is manufactured in large quantities in the preparation of aniline. Fornerly called also nitrobenzol.

{ Ni`tro*ben"zol, Ni`tro*ben"zole, (&?; or &?;) }, n. See Nitrobenzene.

Ni`tro*cal"cite (?), n. [Nitro- + calcite.] (Min.) Nitrate of calcium, a substance having a grayish white color, occuring in efflorescences on old walls, and in limestone caves, especially where there exists decaying animal matter.

Ni`tro*car"bol (?), n. [Nitro- + carbon + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) See Nitromethane.

Ni`tro*cel"lu*lose` (?), n. [Nitro- + cellulose.] (Chem.) See Gun cotton, under Gun.

Ni`tro-chlo"ro*form (?), n. [Nitro- + chloroform.] (Chem.) Same as Chlorpicrin.

Ni"tro*form (?), n. [Nitro- + formyl.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane, analogous to chloroform, obtained as a colorless oily or crystalline substance, CH.(NO2)3, quite explosive, and having well-defined acid properties.

Ni`tro*gel"a*tin (?), n. [Nitro- + gelatin.] An explosive consisting of gun cotton and camphor dissolved in nitroglycerin. [Written also nitrogelatine.]

Ni`tro*gen (?), n. [L. nitrum natron + -gen: cf. F. nitrogène. See Niter.] (Chem.) A colorless nonmetallic element, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume. It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all organized living tissues, animal or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic weight 14. It was formerly regarded as a permanent noncondensible gas, but was liquefied in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of Geneva.

Ni"tro*gen*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrogenized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrogenizing.] (Chem.) To combine, or impregnate, with nitrogen or its compounds.

Ni*trog"e*nous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, nitrogen; as, a nitrogenous principle; nitrogenous compounds.

Nitrogenous foods. See 2d Note under Food, n., 1.

Ni`tro*glyc"er*in (?), n. [Nitro- + glycerinn.] (Chem.) A liquid appearing like a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish, and consisting of a mixture of several glycerin salts of nitric acid, and hence more properly called glycerin nitrate. It is made by the action of nitric acid on glycerin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in medicine as a neurotic under the name of glonion. [Written also nitroglycerine.]

A great number of explosive compounds have been produced by mixing nitroglycerin with different substances; as, dynamite, or giant powder, nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth; lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with sawdust and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia powder, gunpowder with nitroglycerin; dualin, nitroglycerin with sawdust, or with sawdust and nitrate of potassium and some other substances; lignose, wood fiber and nitroglycerin.

Ni`tro*hy`dro*chlo"ric (?), a. [Nitro- + hydrochloric.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitric and hydrochloric acids.

Nitrohydrochloric acid, a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, usually in the proportion of one part of the former to three of the latter, and remarkable for its solvent action on gold and platinum; -- called also nitromuriatic acid, and aqua regia.

Ni"trol (?), n. (Chem.) Any one of a series of hydrocarbons containing the nitro and the nitroso or isonitroso group united to the same carbon atom.

Ni*tro"le*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. nitrum natron + oleum oil.] (Chem.) Nitroglycerin.

Ni*trol"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, derived from, or designating, a nitrol; as, a nitrolic acid.

Ni`tro*mag"ne*site (?), n. [Nitro- + magnesite.] (Chem.) Nitrate of magnesium, a saline efflorescence closely resembling nitrate of calcium.

Ni*trom"e*ter (?), n. [Nitro- + -meter: cf. F. nitromètre.] (Chem.) An apparatus for determining the amount of nitrogen or some of its compounds in any substance subjected to analysis; an azotometer.

Ni`tro*meth"ane (?), n. [Nitro- + methane.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane obtained as a mobile liquid; -- called also nitrocarbol.

Ni`tro*mu`ri*at"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. nitromuriatique. See Nitro-, and Muriatic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or composed of, nitric acid and muriatic acid; nitrohydrochloric. See Nitrohydrochloric.

Ni`tro*ph"nol (?), n. [Nitro- + phenol.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of phenol. They are yellow oily or crystalline substances and have well-defined acid properties, as picric acid.

Ni`tro*prus"sic (? or &?;), a. [Nitro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a complex acid called nitroprussic acid, obtained indirectly by the action of nitric acid on potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate), as a red crystalline unstable substance. It forms salts called nitroprussides, which give a rich purple color with alkaline sulphides.

Ni`tro*prus"side (?), n. See Nitroprussic.

Ni`tro*qui"nol (?), n. [Nitro- + quine + -ol.] (Chem.) A hypothetical nitro derivative of quinol or hydroquinone, not known in the free state, but forming a well defined series of derivatives.

Ni`tro*sac"cha*rin (?), n. [Nitro- + saccharin.] (Chem.) An explosive nitro derivative of certain sugars, analogous to nitroglycerin, gun cotton, etc.

Ni`tro*sal`i*cyl"ic (?), a. [Nitro- + salicylic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a nitro derivative of salicylic acid, called also anilic acid.

Ni*trose" (?), a. (Chem.) See Nitrous.

Ni*tro"so- (&?; or &?;). (Chem.) A prefix (also used adjectively) designating the group or radical NO, called the nitroso group, or its compounds.

Ni*tro"syl (?), n. [Nitroso- + -yl.] (Chem.) the radical NO, called also the nitroso group. The term is sometimes loosely used to designate certain nitro compounds; as, nitrosyl sulphuric acid. Used also adjectively.

Ni`tro*syl"ic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrosyl; as, nitrosylic acid.

Ni"trous (?), a. [L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See Niter.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.

2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.

Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites. -- Nitrous oxide. See Laughing gas.

Ni*trox"yl (?), n. [Nitro- + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The group NO2, usually called the nitro group.

||Ni"trum (?), n. [L., natron. See Niter.] (Old Chem.) Niter.

||Nitrum flammans [L., flaming niter] (Old Chem.), ammonium nitrate; -- ||probably so called because it deflagerates when suddenly heated.

Ni"try (?), a. (Chem.) Nitrous. [Obs.]

Ni"tryl (?), n. [Nitro- + - yl.] (Chem.) A name sometimes given to the nitro group or radical.

Nit"ter (?), n. [From Nit.] (Zoöl.) The horse louse; an insect that deposits nits on horses.

Nit"ti*ly (?), adv. Lousily. [Obs.] Hayward.

Nit"tings (?), n. pl. [Prob. from Nit.] (Mining) The refuse of good ore. Raymond.

Nit"ty (?), a. Full of nits. B. Jonson.

Nit"ty, a. [L. nitidus. See Nitid.] Shining; elegant; spruce. [Obs.] "O sweet, nitty youth." Marston.

Ni"val (?), a. [L. nivalis, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Abounding with snow; snowy. [Obs.] Johnson.

Niv"e*ous (?), a. [L. niveus, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Snowy; resembling snow; partaking of the qualities of snow. Sir T. Browne.

||Ni`vose" (?), n. [F., fr. L. nix. nivis, snow.] The fourth month of ||the French republican calendar [1792-1806]. It commenced December 21, ||and ended January 19. See VendÉmiaire.

Nix (?), n.; fem. Nixe (&?;). [G. Cf. 1st Nick.] (Teut. Myth.) One of a class of water spirits, commonly described as of a mischievous disposition.

The treacherous nixes who entice men to a watery death.

Tylor.

Nix"ie (?), n. See Nix.