Chapter L: F. Ward (29)

4. The place where novices live or are trained. [R.]

No*vi"tious (?), a. [L. novitius, novicius.] Newly invented; recent; new. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

Nov"i*ty (?), n. [L. novitas, fr. novus new.] Newness; novelty. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

No"vum (?), n. A game at dice, properly called novem quinque (L., nine five), the two principal throws being nine and five. [Obs.] Shak.

Now (?), adv. [OE. nou, nu, AS. n, nu; akin to D., OS., & OHG. nu, G. nu, nun, Icel., n, Dan., Sw., & Goth. nu, L. nunc, Gr. &?;, &?;, Skr. nu, n. √193. Cf. New.]

1. At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.

I have a patient now living, at an advanced age, who discharged
blood from his lungs thirty years ago.

Arbuthnot.

2. Very lately; not long ago.

They that but now, for honor and for plate, Made the sea blush with
blood, resign their hate.

Waller.

3. At a time contemporaneous with something spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred to.

The ship was now in the midst of the sea.

Matt. xiv. 24.

4. In present circumstances; things being as they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation.

How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a parasite and a man of
honor ?

L'Estrange.

Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is ?

Shak.

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now,
Barabbas was a robber.

John xviii. 40.

The other great and undoing mischief which befalls men is, by their
being misrepresented. Now, by calling evil good, a man is
misrepresented to others in the way of slander.

South.

Now and again, now and then; occasionally. -- Now and now, again and again; repeatedly. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Now and then, at one time and another; indefinitely; occasionally; not often; at intervals. "A mead here, there a heath, and now and then a wood." Drayton. -- Now now, at this very instant; precisely now. [Obs.] "Why, even now now, at holding up of this finger, and before the turning down of this." J. Webster (1607). -- Now . . . now, alternately; at one time . . . at another time. "Now high, now low, now master up, now miss." Pope.

Now, a. Existing at the present time; present. [R.] "Our now happiness." Glanvill.

Now, n. The present time or moment; the present.

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past; But an eternal now does
ever last.

Cowley.

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Now"a*days` (?), adv. [For now on (OE. an) days. See A-, 1.] In these days; at the present time.

What men of spirit, nowadays, Come to give sober judgment of new
plays ?

Garrick.

{ No"way` (?), No"ways` (?), } adv. [No, a. + way. Cf. - wards.] In no manner or degree; not at all; nowise.

But Ireland will noways allow that name unto it.

Fuller.

Nowch (?), n. See Nouch. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nowd (?), n. (Zoöl.) The European gray gurnard (Trigla gurnardus). [Written also knoud.]

Now"ed (?), a. [F. noué, p. p. of nouer to knot, fr. L. nodare. See Nodated.] (Her.) Knotted; tied in a knot, as a serpent.

Now"el (?), n. [See Noel.] [Written also noël.]

1. Christmas; also, a shout of joy at Christmas for the birth of the Savior. [Obs.]

2. (Mus.) A kind of hymn, or canticle, of mediæval origin, sung in honor of the Nativity of our Lord; a Christmas carol. Grove.

Now"el, n. [F. noyau, prop., a kernel. See Noyau, Newel a post.] (Founding) (a) The core, or the inner part, of a mold for casting a large hollow object. (b) The bottom part of a mold or of a flask, in distinction from the cope; the drag.

Nowes (?), n. pl. [From OF. nous. See Noose, Node.] The marriage knot. [Obs.] Crashaw.

No"where` (?), adv. [AS. nhwr. See No, and Where.] Not anywhere; not in any place or state; as, the book is nowhere to be found.

No"whith`er (?), adv. [No + whither.] Not anywhither; in no direction; nowhere. [Archaic] "Thy servant went nowhither." 2 Kings v. 25.

No"wise` (?), adv. [For in no wise. See Wise, n.] Not in any manner or degree; in no way; noways.

Others whose case is nowise different.

Earle.

Nowt (?), n. pl. (Zoöl.) Neat cattle.

Now"the (?). See Nouthe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Nox"ious (?), a. [L. noxius, fr. noxa harm; akin to nocere to harm, hurt. Cf. Nuisance, Necromancy.]

1. Hurtful; harmful; baneful; pernicious; injurious; destructive; unwholesome; insalubrious; as, noxious air, food, or climate; pernicious; corrupting to morals; as, noxious practices or examples.

Too frequent an appearance in places of public resort is noxious to
spiritual promotions.

Swift.

2. Guilty; criminal. [R.]

Those who are noxious in the eye of the law.

Abp. Bramhall.

Syn. -- Noisome; hurtful; harmful; injurious; destructive; pernicious; mischievous; corrupting; baneful; unwholesome; insalubrious. See Noisome.

-- Nox"ious*ly, adv. -- Nox"ious*ness, n.

Noy (?), v. t. [See Annoy.] To annoy; to vex. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Piers Plowman.

All that noyed his heavy spright.

Spenser.

Noy, n. That which annoys. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

Noy"ance (?), n. Annoyance. [Obs.] Spenser.

||Noy`au" (?), n. [F., prop., the stone or nut of a fruit, fr. L. ||nucalis like a nut. See Newel a post.] A cordial of brandy, etc., ||flavored with the kernel of the bitter almond, or of the peach stone, ||etc.

Noy"er (?), n. An annoyer. [Obs.] Tusser.

Noy"ful (?), a. Full of annoyance. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Noyls (?), n. pl. See Noils.

Noy"ous (?), a. Annoying; disagreeable. [Obs.]

Watch the noyous night, and wait for &?; yous day.

Spenser.

No"zle (?), n. Nozzle. [Obs.]

Noz"zle (?), n. [A dim. of nose. &radic;261] [Written also nosle.] 1. The nose; the snout; hence, the projecting vent of anything; as, the nozzle of a bellows.

2. Specifically: (a) A short tube, usually tapering, forming the vent of a hose or pipe. (b) A short outlet, or inlet, pipe projecting from the end or side of a hollow vessel, as a steam-engine cylinder or a steam boiler.

||Nu`ance" (?), n. [F.] A shade of difference; a delicate gradation.

Nub (?), v. t. [Cf. Knob.] To push; to nudge; also, to beckon. [Prov. Eng.]

Nub, n. A jag, or snag; a knob; a protuberance; also, the point or gist, as of a story. [Colloq.]

Nub"bin (?), n. A small or imperfect ear of maize. [Colloq. U. S.]

Nub"ble (?), v. t. [Cf. LG. nubben to knock, cuff.] To beat or bruise with the fist. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

||Nu*bec"u*la (?), n.; pl. Nubeculæ (-l). [L., dim. of nubes cloud.] 1. ||(Astron.) (a) A nebula. (b) pl. Specifically, the Magellanic clouds.

2. (Med.) (a) A slight spot on the cornea. (b) A cloudy object or appearance in urine. Dunglison.

Nu"bi*a (?), n. [From L. nubes cloud.] A light fabric of wool, worn on the head by women; a cloud.

Nu"bi*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to Nubia in Eastern Africa. -- n. A native of Nubia.

Nu*bif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nubifer; nubes cloud + ferre to bear: cf. F. nubifère.] Bringing, or producing, clouds.

Nu*big"e*nous (?), a. [L. nubes cloud + -genous.] Born of, or produced from, clouds. [R.]

Nu"bi*late (?), v. t. [L. nubilatus, p. p. of nubilare to cloud, fr. nubes cloud.] To cloud. [Obs.]

Nu"bile (?), a. [L. nubilis, fr. nubere to marry: cf. F. nubile. See Nuptial.] Of an age suitable for marriage; marriageable. Prior.

Nu*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. nubilité .] The state of being marriageable. [R.]

{ Nu"bi*lose` (?), Nu"bi*lous (?), } a. [L. nubilosus, nubilus, fr. nubes cloud.] Cloudy. [R.]

Nu"ca*ment (?), n. [L. nucamenta fir cones, fr. nux, nucis, a nut.] (Bot.) A catkin or ament; the flower cluster of the hazel, pine, willow, and the like.

Nu`ca*men*ta"ceous (?), a. [See Nucament.] (Bot.) Like a nut either in structure or in being indehiscent; bearing one-seeded nutlike fruits. [Written also nucumentaceous.]

||Nu*cel"lus (?), n.; pl. Nucelli (#). [NL., dim. of nux, nucis, a ||nut.] (Bot.) See Nucleus, 3 (a).

||Nu"cha (?), n.; pl. Nuch&?; (#). [LL.] (Zoöl.) The back or upper part ||of the neck; the nape.

Nu"chal (?), a. [Cf. F. nucal.] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the back, or nape, of the neck; -- applied especially to the anterior median plate in the carapace of turtles.

Nu*cif"er*ous (?), a. [L. nux, nucis, nut + -ferous.] Bearing, or producing, nuts.

Nu"ci*form (?), a. [L. nux, nucis, nut + -form.] (Bot.) Shaped like a nut; nut-shaped.

Nu"cin (?), n. [L. nux, nucis, a nut.] (Chem.) See Juglone.

{ Nu"cle*al (?), Nu"cle*ar (?), } a. Of or pertaining to a nucleus; as, the nuclear spindle (see Illust. of Karyokinesis) or the nuclear fibrils of a cell; the nuclear part of a comet, etc.

Nu"cle*ate (?), a. [L. nucleatus having a kernel.] Having a nucleus; nucleated.

Nu"cle*ate (?), v. t. [Cf. L. nucleare to become kernelly.] To gather, as about a nucleus or center.

Nu"cle*a`ted (?), a. Having a nucleus; nucleate; as, nucleated cells.

Nu*cle"i*form (?), a. [L. nucleus kernel + -form.] Formed like a nucleus or kernel.

Nu"cle*in (?), n. (Physiol. Chem.) A constituent of the nuclei of all cells. It is a colorless amorphous substance, readily soluble in alkaline fluids and especially characterized by its comparatively large content of phosphorus. It also contains nitrogen and sulphur.

Nu"cle*o*branch (?), a. (Zoöl.) Belonging to the Nucleobranchiata. -- n. One of the Nucleobranchiata.

||Nu`cle*o*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Nucleus, and Branchia] ||(Zoöl.) See Heteropoda.

||Nu`cle*o*id`i*o*plas"ma (?), n. [NL. See Nucleus, and Idioplasma.] ||(Biol.) Hyaline plasma contained in the nucleus of vegetable cells.

Nu*cle"o*lar (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the nucleolus of a cell.

Nu"cle*o*la`ted (?), a. Having a nucleole, or second inner nucleus.

Nu"cle*ole (?), n. [See Nucleolus.] The nucleus within a nucleus; nucleolus.

Nu*cle"o*lus (?), n.; pl. Nucleoli (#). [L., a little nut, dim. of nucleus.]

1. A little nucleus.

2. (Biol.) A small rounded body contained in the nucleus of a cell or a protozoan.

It was termed by Agassiz the entoblast. In the protozoa, where it may be situated on one side of the nucleus, it is sometimes called the endoplastule, and is supposed to be concerned in the male part of the reproductive process. See Nucleus.

Nu"cle*o*plasm (?), n. [Nucleus + -plasm.] (Biol.) The matter composing the nucleus of a cell; the protoplasm of the nucleus; karyoplasma.

Nu`cle*o*plas"mic (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to nucleoplasm; -- esp. applied to a body formed in the developing ovum from the plasma of the nucleus of the germinal vesicle.

Nu"cle*us (?), n.; pl. E. Nucleuses (#), L. Nuclei (#). [L., a kernel, dim. fr. nux, nucis, nut. Cf. Newel post.]

1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the central or material portion; -- used both literally and figuratively.

It must contain within itself a nucleus of truth.

I. Taylor.

2. (Astron.) The body or the head of a comet.

3. (Bot.) (a) An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. (b) A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats.

4. (Biol.) A body, usually spheroidal, in a cell or a protozoan, distinguished from the surrounding protoplasm by a difference in refrangibility and in behavior towards chemical reagents. It is more or less protoplasmic, and consists of a clear fluid (achromatin) through which extends a network of fibers (chromatin) in which may be suspended a second rounded body, the nucleolus (see Nucleoplasm). See Cell division, under Division.

The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or endoblast, and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in the female part of the reproductive process. See Karyokinesis.

5. (Zoöl.) (a) The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell. (b) The central part around which additional growths are added, as of an operculum. (c) A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in Tunicata and some mollusks.

||Nu"cu*la (?), n. [L., little nut, dim. of nux, nucis, a nut.] (Zoöl.) ||A genus of small marine bivalve shells, having a pearly interior.

Nu"cule (n"kl), n. [L. nucula a small nut.] (Bot.) Same as Nutlet.

Nu`cu*men*ta"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) See Nucamentaceous.

Nu*da"tion (?), n. [L. nudatio, fr. nudare to make naked, fr. nudus naked. See Nude.] The act of stripping, or making bare or naked.

Nud"dle (?), v. i. To walk quickly with the head bent forward; -- often with along. [Prov. Eng.]

Nude (?), a. [L. nudus. See Naked.]

1. Bare; naked; unclothed; undraped; as, a nude statue.

2. (Law) Naked; without consideration; void; as, a nude contract. See Nudum pactum. Blackstone.

The nude, the undraped human figure in art.

-- Nude"ly, adv.- Nude"ness, n.

Nudge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nudge&?; (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nudging.] [Cf. Prov. G. knütschen to squeeze, pinch, E. Knock.] To touch gently, as with the elbow, in order to call attention or convey intimation.

Nudge (?), n. A gentle push, or jog, as with the elbow.

Nu`di*brach"i*ate (?), a. [L. nudus naked + brachium an arm.] (Zoöl.) Having tentacles without vibratile cilia. Carpenter.

Nu"di*branch (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Nudibranchiata. -- n. One of the Nudibranchiata.

||Nu`di*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL. See Nude, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.) ||A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks, having no shell except ||while very young. The gills are naked and situated upon the back or ||sides. See Ceratobranchia.

Nu`di*bran"chi*ate (?), a. & n. (Zoöl.) Same as Nudibranch.

Nu"di*caul (?), a. [L. nudus naked + caulis stem.] (Bot.) Having the stems leafless.

Nu`di*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nudus naked + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See - fy.] The act of making nude.

Nu"di*ty (?), n.; pl. Nudities (#). [Cf. F. nudité .]

1. The quality or state of being nude; nakedness.

2. That which is nude or naked; naked part; undraped or unclothed portion; esp. (Fine Arts), the human figure represented unclothed; any representation of nakedness; -- chiefly used in the plural and in a bad sense.

There are no such licenses permitted in poetry any more than in
painting, to design and color obscene nudities.

Dryden.

||Nu"dum pac"tum (?). [L., a nude pact.] (Law) A bare, naked contract, ||without any consideration. Tomlins.

Nu*gac"i*ty (?), n. [L. nugacitas, fr. nugax, -acis, trifling.] Futility; trifling talk or behavior; drollery. [R.] Dr. H. More.

||Nu"gæ (?), n. pl. [L.] Trifles; jests.

Nu*ga"tion (?), n. [Cf. OF. nugation.] The act or practice of trifling. [R.] Bacon.

Nu"ga*to*ry (?), a. [L. nugatorius, fr. nugari to trifle, nugae jests, trifles.]

1. Trifling; vain; futile; insignificant.

2. Of no force; inoperative; ineffectual.

If all are pardoned, and pardoned as a mere act of clemency, the
very substance of government is made nugatory.

I. Taylor.

Nug"get (?), n. [Earlier niggot, prob. for nigot, an ingot. See Ingot.] A lump; a mass, esp. a native lump of a precious metal; as, a nugget of gold.

Nu"gi*fy (?), v. t. [L. nuggae trifles + -fy.] To render trifling or futile; to make silly. [R.] Coleridge.

Nui"sance (?), n. [OE. noisance, OF. noisance, nuisance, fr. L. nocentia guilt, fr. nocere to hurt, harm; akin to necare to kill. Cf Necromancy, Nocent, Noxious, Pernicious.] That which annoys or gives trouble and vexation; that which is offensive or noxious.

Nuisances are public when they annoy citizens in general; private, when they affect individuals only.

Nui"san*cer (?), n. (Law) One who makes or causes a nuisance.

Nul (?), a. [F. See Null, a.] (Law) No; not any; as, nul disseizin; nul tort.

Null (?), a. [L. nullus not any, none; ne not + ullus any, a dim. of unus one; cf. F. nul. See No, and One, and cf. None.] Of no legal or binding force or validity; of no efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless.

Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null, Dead
perfection; no more.

Tennyson.

Null, n. 1. Something that has no force or meaning.

2. That which has no value; a cipher; zero. Bacon.

Null method (Physics.), a zero method. See under Zero.

Null, v. t. [From null, a., or perh. abbrev. from annul.] To annul. [Obs.] Milton.

Null, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] One of the beads in nulled work.

Nulled (?), a. Turned so as to resemble nulls.

Nulled work (Cabinetwork), ornamental turned work resembling nulls or beads strung on a rod.

Nul`li*bi"e*ty (?), n. [L. nullibi nowhere.] The state or condition of being nowhere. [Obs.]

Nul`li*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nullificatio contempt. See Nullify.] The act of nullifying; a rendering void and of no effect, or of no legal effect.

Right of nullification (U. S. Hist.), the right claimed in behalf of a State to nullify or make void, by its sovereign act or decree, an enactment of the general government which it deems unconstitutional.

Nul`li*fid"i*an (?), a. [L. nullus none + fide&?; faith.] Of no faith; also, not trusting to faith for salvation; -- opposed to solifidian. Feltham.

Nul`li*fid"i*an, n. An unbeliever. B. Jonson.

Nul"li*fi`er (?), n. One who nullifies or makes void; one who maintains the right to nullify a contract by one of the parties.

Nul"li*fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nullified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nullifying (?).] [L. nullificare; nullus none + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Null, a., and -fy.] To make void; to render invalid; to deprive of legal force or efficacy.

Such correspondence would at once nullify the conditions of the
probationary system.

I. Taylor.

Syn. -- To abrogate; revoke; annul; repeal; invalidate; cancel. See Abolish.

Nul"li*pore (?), n. [L. nullus none + porus pope.] (Bot.) A name for certain crustaceous marine algæ which secrete carbonate of lime on their surface, and were formerly thought to be of animal nature. They are now considered corallines of the genera Melobesia and Lithothamnion.

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Nul"li*ty (?), n.; pl. Nullities. [LL. nullitias, fr. L. nullus none: cf. F. nullité . See Null.]

1. The quality or state of being null; nothingness; want of efficacy or force.

2. (Law) Nonexistence; as, a decree of nullity of marriage is a decree that no legal marriage exists.

3. That which is null.

Was it not absurd to say that the convention was supreme in the
state, and yet a nullity ?

Macaulay.

Numb (?), a. [OE. nume, nome, prop., seized, taken, p. p. of nimen to take, AS. niman, p. p. numen. &radic;7. See Nimble, Nomad, and cf. Benumb.]

1. Enfeebled in, or destitute of, the power of sensation and motion; rendered torpid; benumbed; insensible; as, the fingers or limbs are numb with cold. "A stony image, cold and numb." Shak.

2. Producing numbness; benumbing; as, the numb, cold night. [Obs.] Shak.

Numb, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Numbing (?).] To make numb; to deprive of the power of sensation or motion; to render senseless or inert; to deaden; to benumb; to stupefy.

For lazy winter numbs the laboring hand.

Dryden.

Like dull narcotics, numbing pain.

Tennyson.

Numb"ed*ness (?), n. Numbness. [Obs.] Wiseman.

Num"ber (?), n. [OE. nombre, F. nombre, L. numerus; akin to Gr. &?; that which is dealt out, fr. &?; to deal out, distribute. See Numb, Nomad, and cf. Numerate, Numero, Numerous.] 1. That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.

2. A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.

Ladies are always of great use to the party they espouse, and never
fail to win over numbers.

Addison.

3. A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.

4. Numerousness; multitude.

Number itself importeth not much in armies where the people are of
weak courage.

Bacon.

5. The state or quality of being numerable or countable.

Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out of number.

2 Esdras iii. 7.

6. Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.

7. That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; -- chiefly used in the plural.

I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came.

Pope.

8. (Gram.) The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.

9. (Math.) The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.

Abstract number, Abundant number, Cardinal number, etc. See under Abstract, Abundant, etc. -- In numbers, in numbered parts; as, a book published in numbers.

Num"ber, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numbered (?); p. pr & vb. n. Numbering.] [OE. nombren, noumbren, F. nombrer, fr. L. numerare, numeratum. See Number, n.]

1. To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.

If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also
be numbered.

Gen. xiii. 16.

2. To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.

He was numbered with the transgressors.

Is. liii. 12.

3. To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.

4. To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.

Thy tears can not number the dead.

Campbell.

Numbering machine, a machine for printing consecutive numbers, as on railway tickets, bank bills, etc.

Syn. -- To count; enumerate; calculate; tell.

Num"ber*er (?), n. One who numbers.

Num"ber*ful (?), a. Numerous. [Obs.]

Num"ber*less, a. Innumerable; countless.

Num"ber*ous (?), a. Numerous. [Obs.] Drant.

Num"bers (?), n. pl. of Number. The fourth book of the Pentateuch, containing the census of the Hebrews.

Numb"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The torpedo, which numbs by the electric shocks which it gives.

Num"bless (?), n. pl. See Nombles.

Numb"ness (?), n. The condition of being numb; that state of a living body in which it loses, wholly or in part, the power of feeling or motion.

Nu"mer*a*ble (?), a. [L. numerabilis. See Number, v. t.] Capable of being numbered or counted.

Nu"mer*al (?), a. [L. numeralis, fr. numerus number: cf. F. numéral. See Number, n.]

1. Of or pertaining to number; consisting of number or numerals.

A long train of numeral progressions.

Locke.

2. Expressing number; representing number; as, numeral letters or characters, as X or 10 for ten.

Nu"mer*al, n. 1. A figure or character used to express a number; as, the Arabic numerals, 1, 2, 3, etc.; the Roman numerals, I, V, X, L, etc.

2. A word expressing a number.

Nu"mer*al*ly, adv. According to number; in number; numerically.

Nu"mer*a*ry (?), a. [LL. numerarius: cf. F. numéraire.] Belonging to a certain number; counting as one of a collection or body.

A supernumerary canon, when he obtains a prebend, becomes a
numerary canon.

Ayliffe.

Nu"mer*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Numerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Numerating (?).] [L. numeratus, p. p. of numerare to count. See Number, v.] (Arith.) To divide off and read according to the rules of numeration; as, to numerate a row of figures.

Nu`mer*a"tion (?), n. [L. numeratio a counting out: cf. F. numération.] 1. The act or art of numbering.

Numeration is but still the adding of one unit more, and giving to
the whole a new name or sign.

Locke.

2. The act or art of reading numbers when expressed by means of numerals. The term is almost exclusively applied to the art of reading numbers written in the scale of tens, by the Arabic method. Davies & Peck.

For convenience in reading, numbers are usually separated by commas into periods of three figures each, as 1,155,465. According to what is called the "English" system, the billion is a million of millions, a trillion a million of billions, and each higher denomination is a million times the one preceding. According to the system of the French and other Continental nations and also that of the United States, the billion is a thousand millions, and each higher denomination is a thousand times the preceding.

Nu"mer*a*tive (?), a. Of or pertaining to numeration; as, a numerative system. Eng. Cyc.

Nu"mer*a"tor (?), n. [L. numerator: cf. F. numérateur.]

1. One who numbers.

2. (Math.) The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.

In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See Fraction.

{ Nu*mer"ic (?), Nu*mer"ic*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. numérique. See Number, n.]

1. Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement.

Numerical, as opposed to algebraical, is used to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically greater than -3, though algebraically less.

2. The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.] South.

Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with me bemoan the
loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the recovery thereof,
though not the same numerical volumes.

Fuller.

Numerical equation (Alg.), an equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in numbers; -- distinguished from literal equation. -- Numerical value of an equation or expression, that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and reducing.

Nu*mer"ic, n. (Math.) Any number, proper or improper fraction, or incommensurable ratio. The term also includes any imaginary expression like m + n&radic;- 1, where m and n are real numerics.

Nu*mer"ic*al*ly, adv. In a numerical manner; in numbers; with respect to number, or sameness in number; as, a thing is numerically the same, or numerically different.

Nu"mer*ist (?), n. One who deals in numbers. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Nu"me*ro (?), n. [It., or F. numéro ; both fr. L. numerus number.] Number; -- often abbrev. No.

Nu`mer*os"i*ty (?), n. [L. numerositas.]

1. The state of being numerous; numerousness. [Obs.]

2. Rhythm; harmony; flow. [Obs.]

The numerosity of the sentence pleased the ear.

S. Parr.

Nu"mer*ous (?), a. [L. numerosus. See Number.]

1. Consisting of a great number of units or individual objects; being many; as, a numerous army.

Such and so numerous was their chivalry.

Milton.

2. Consisting of poetic numbers; rhythmical; measured and counted; melodious; musical. [Obs.]

Such prompt eloquence Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous
verse.

Milton.

-- Nu"mer*ous*ly, adv. -- Nu"mer*ous*ness, n.

Nu*mid"i*an (?), a. Of or pertaining to ancient Numidia in Northern Africa.

Numidian crane. (Zoöl.) See Demoiselle, 2.

{ Nu`mis*mat"ic (?), Nu`mis*mat"ic*al (?), } a. [L. numisma, nomisma, a piece of money, coin, fr. Gr. &?; anything sanctioned by usage, the current coin, fr. &?; to introduce a custom, or usage, fr. &?; a custom, or usage, fr. &?; to distribute, assign: cf. F. numismatique. See Nomad.] Of or pertaining to coins; relating to the science of coins or medals.

Nu`mis*mat"ics (?), n. [Cf. F. numismatique.] The science of coins and medals.

Nu*mis"ma*tist (?), n. One skilled in numismatics; a numismatologist.

Nu*mis`ma*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [L. numisma, -atis (Gr. &?;) + -graphy.] A treatise on, or description of, coins and medals.

Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in numismatology.

Nu*mis`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [L. numisma, -atis + -logy.] The science which treats of coins and medals, in their relation to history; numismatics.

Num"ma*ry (?), a. [L. nummarius, from nummus a coin.] Of or relating to coins or money.

{ Num"mu*lar (?), Num"mu*la*ry (?), } a. [L. nummularius, fr. nummulus, dim. of nummus a coin: cf. F. nummulaire.]

1. Of or pertaining to coin or money; pecuniary; as, the nummulary talent.

2. (Pathol.) Having the appearance or form of a coin. "Nummular sputa." Sir T. Watson.

Num`mu*la"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) The arrangement of the red blood corpuscles in rouleaux, like piles of coins, as when a drop of human blood is examined under the microscope.

Num"mu*lite (?), n. [L. nummus a coin + -lite: cf. F. nummulite.] (Paleon.) A fossil of the genus Nummulites and allied genera.

||Num`mu*li"tes (?), n. [NL. See Nummulite.] (Paleon.) A genus of ||extinct Tertiary Foraminifera, having a thin, flat, round shell, ||containing a large number of small chambers arranged spirally.

Num`mu*lit"ic (?), a. Of, like, composed of, containing, nummulites; as, nummulitic beds.

Numps (?), n. [Cf. Numb.] A dolt; a blockhead. [Obs.] Bp. Parker.

Num"skull` (?), n. [Numb + skull.] A dunce; a dolt; a stupid fellow. [Colloq.]

They have talked like numskulls.

Arbuthnot.

Num"skulled` (?), a. Stupid; doltish. [Colloq.]

Nun (?), n. [OE. nunne, AS. nunne, fr. L. nonna nun, nonnus monk; cf. Gr. &?;, &?;; of unknown origin. Cf. Nunnery.]

1. A woman devoted to a religious life, who lives in a convent, under the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

They holy time is quiet as a nun Breathless with adoration.

Wordsworth.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A white variety of domestic pigeons having a veil of feathers covering the head. (b) The smew. (c) The European blue titmouse.

Gray nuns (R. C. Ch.), the members of a religious order established in Montreal in 1745, whence branches were introduced into the United States in 1853; -- so called from the color or their robe, and known in religion as Sisters of Charity of Montreal. -- Nun buoy. See under Buoy.

Nun"chion (?), n. [OE. nonechenche, for noneschenche, prop., a noon drink; none noon + schenchen, schenken, skinken, to pour, AS. scencan. See Noon, and Skink, v. i.] A portion of food taken at or after noon, usually between full meals; a luncheon. [Written also noonshun.] Hudibras.

Nun"ci*ate (?), n. One who announces; a messenger; a nuncio. [Obs.] Hoole.

Nun"ci*a*ture (?), n. [L. nunciare, nuntiare, to announce, report, fr. nuncius, nuntius, messenger: cf. F. nonciature, It. nunziatura. See Nuncio.] The office of a nuncio. Clarendon.

Nun"ci*o (?), n.; pl. Nuncios (#). [It. nunzio, nuncio, fr. L. nuncius, nuntius, messenger; perh. akin to novus new, E. new, and thus, one who brings news. Cf. Announce.]

1. A messenger. [Obs.] Shak.

2. The permanent official representative of the pope at a foreign court or seat of government. Distinguished from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than internuncios.

||Nun"ci*us (?), n.; pl. Nuncii (#). [L.] (Roman & Old Eng. Law) (a) A ||messenger. (b) The information communicated.

Nun"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. nuncupatus, p. p. of nuncupare to nuncupate, prob. fr. nomen name + capere to take.] 1. To declare publicly or solemnly; to proclaim formally. [Obs.]

In whose presence did St. Peter nuncupate it ?

Barrow.

2. To dedicate by declaration; to inscribe; as, to nuncupate a book. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Nun`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. nuncupatio.] The act of nuncupating. [Obs.]

Nun*cu"pa*tive (?), a. [L. nuncupativus nominal: cf. F. nuncupatif.] 1. Publicly or solemnly declaratory. [Obs.]

2. Nominal; existing only in name. [Obs.]

3. Oral; not written.

Nuncupative will or testament, a will or testament made by word of mouth only, before witnesses, as by a soldier or seaman, and depending on oral testimony for proof. Blackstone.

Nun*cu"pa*to*ry (?), a. Nuncupative; oral.

Nun"di*nal (?), n. A nundinal letter.

{ Nun"di*nal (?), Nun"di*na*ry (?), } a. [L. nundinalis, nundinarius, fr. nundinae the market day, the weekly market, prop., the ninth day, fr. nundinus belonging to nine days; novem nine + dies day: cf. F. nundinal.] Of or pertaining to a fair, or to a market day.

Nundinal letter, among the Romans, one of the first eight letters of the alphabet, which were repeated successively from the first to the last day of the year. One of these always expressed the market day, which returned every nine days (every eight days by our reckoning).

Nun"di*nate (?), v. i. [L. nundinatus, p. p. of nundinary to attend fairs, to traffic. See Nundinal, a.] To buy and sell at fairs or markets. [Obs.]

Nun`di*na"tion (?), n. [L. nundinatio.] Traffic at fairs; marketing; buying and selling. [Obs.]

Common nundination of pardons.

Abp. Bramhall.

Nun*na"tion (?), n. [From nun, the Arabic name of the letter n: cf. NL. nunnatio, F. nunnation.] (Arabic Gram.) The pronunciation of n at the end of words.

Nun"ner*y (?), n.; pl. Nunneries (#). [OE. nonnerie, OF. nonerie, F. nonnerie, fr. nonne nun, L. nonna. See Nun.] A house in which nuns reside; a cloister or convent in which women reside for life, under religious vows. See Cloister, and Convent.

Nun"nish (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or resembling a nun; characteristic of a nun. -- Nun"nish*ness, n.

Nup (?), n. Same as Nupson. [Obs.]

||Nu"phar (?), n. [Per. n&?;far.] (Bot.) A genus of plants found in the ||fresh-water ponds or lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America; the ||yellow water lily. Cf. Nymphaea.

<! p. 987 !>

Nup"son (?), n. [Of doubtful origin.] A simpleton; a fool. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Nup"tial (?), a. [L. nuptialis, fr. nuptiae marriage, wedding, fr. nubere, nuptum, prop., to cover, to veil, hence, to marry, as the head of the bride was covered with a veil; cf. Gr. &?; bride, nymph: cf. F. nuptial.] Of or pertaining to marriage; done or used at a wedding; as, nuptial rites and ceremonies.

Then, all in heat, They light the nuptial torch.

Milton.

Nup"tial, n.; pl. Nuptials (&?;). Marriage; wedding; nuptial ceremony; -- now only in the plural.

Celebration of that nuptial, which We two have sworn shall come.

Shak.

Preparations . . . for the approaching nuptials.

Prescott.

Nur (?), n. [Cf. Knur.] A hard knot in wood; also, a hard knob of wood used by boys in playing hockey.

I think I'm as hard as a nur, and as tough as whitleather.

W. Howitt.

Nurl (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nurling.] [Cf. Knurl.] To cut with reeding or fluting on the edge of, as coins, the heads of screws, etc.; to knurl.

Nurse (?), n. [OE. nourse, nurice, norice, OF. nurrice, norrice, nourrice, F. nourrice, fr. L. nutricia nurse, prop., fem. of nutricius that nourishes; akin to nutrix, -icis, nurse, fr. nutrire to nourish. See Nourish, and cf. Nutritious.] 1. One who nourishes; a person who supplies food, tends, or brings up; as: (a) A woman who has the care of young children; especially, one who suckles an infant not her own. (b) A person, especially a woman, who has the care of the sick or infirm.

2. One who, or that which, brings up, rears, causes to grow, trains, fosters, or the like.

The nurse of manly sentiment and heroic enterprise.

Burke.

3. (Naut.) A lieutenant or first officer, who is the real commander when the captain is unfit for his place.

4. (Zoöl.) (a) A peculiar larva of certain trematodes which produces cercariæ by asexual reproduction. See Cercaria, and Redia. (b) Either one of the nurse sharks.

Nurse shark. (Zoöl.) (a) A large arctic shark (Somniosus microcephalus), having small teeth and feeble jaws; -- called also sleeper shark, and ground shark. (b) A large shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), native of the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, having the dorsal fins situated behind the ventral fins. -- To put to nurse, or To put out to nurse, to send away to be nursed; to place in the care of a nurse. -- Wet nurse, Dry nurse. See Wet nurse, and Dry nurse, in the Vocabulary.

Nurse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nursed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nursing.] 1. To nourish; to cherish; to foster; as: (a) To nourish at the breast; to suckle; to feed and tend, as an infant. (b) To take care of or tend, as a sick person or an invalid; to attend upon.

Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age.

Milton.

Him in Egerian groves Aricia bore, And nursed his youth along the
marshy shore.

Dryden.

2. To bring up; to raise, by care, from a weak or invalid condition; to foster; to cherish; -- applied to plants, animals, and to any object that needs, or thrives by, attention. "To nurse the saplings tall." Milton.

By what hands [has vice] been nursed into so uncontrolled a
dominion?

Locke.

3. To manage with care and economy, with a view to increase; as, to nurse our national resources.

4. To caress; to fondle, as a nurse does. A. Trollope.

To nurse billiard balls, to strike them gently and so as to keep them in good position during a series of caroms.

Nurse"hound` (?), n. (Zoöl.) See Houndfish.

Nurse"maid` (?), n. A girl employed to attend children.

Nurse"pond`, n. A pond where fish are fed. Walton.

Nurs"er (?), n. One who nurses; a nurse; one who cherishes or encourages growth.

Nurs"er*y (?), n.; pl. Nurseries (#). [Cf. F. nourricerie.] 1. The act of nursing. [Obs.] "Her kind nursery." Shak.

2. The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. "Fair Padua, nursery of arts." Shak.

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she
is the nursery of the church in heaven.

J. M. Mason.

(d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen.

3. That which is nursed. [R.] Milton.

Nurs"er*y*man (?), n.; pl. Nurserymen (&?;). One who cultivates or keeps a nursery, or place for rearing trees, etc.

Nurs"ing, a. Supplying or taking nourishment from, or as from, the breast; as, a nursing mother; a nursing infant.

Nurs"ling (?), n. [Nurse + - ling.] One who, or that which, is nursed; an infant; a fondling.

I was his nursling once, and choice delight.

Milton.

Nurs"tle (?), v. t. To nurse. See Noursle. [Obs.]

Nur"ture (?), n. [OE. norture, noriture, OF. norriture, norreture, F. nourriture, fr. L. nutritura a nursing, suckling. See Nourish.] 1. The act of nourishing or nursing; thender care; education; training.

A man neither by nature nor by nurture wise.

Milton.

2. That which nourishes; food; diet. Spenser.

Nur"ture (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nurtured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nurturing.] 1. To feed; to nourish.

2. To educate; to bring or train up.

He was nurtured where he had been born.

Sir H. Wotton.

Syn. -- To nourish; nurse; cherish; bring up; educate; tend. -- To Nurture, Nourish, Cherish. Nourish denotes to supply with food, or cause to grow; as, to nourish a plant, to nourish rebellion. To nurture is to train up with a fostering care, like that of a mother; as, to nurture into strength; to nurture in sound principles. To cherish is to hold and treat as dear; as, to cherish hopes or affections.

Nus"tle (?), v. t. [Cf. Nuzzle.] To fondle; to cherish. [Obs.]

Nut (?), n. [OE. nute, note, AS. hnutu; akin to D. noot, G. nuss, OHG. nuz, Icel. hnot, Sw. nöt, Dan. nöd.]

1. (Bot.) The fruit of certain trees and shrubs (as of the almond, walnut, hickory, beech, filbert, etc.), consisting of a hard and indehiscent shell inclosing a kernel.

2. A perforated block (usually a small piece of metal), provided with an internal or female screw thread, used on a bolt, or screw, for tightening or holding something, or for transmitting motion. See Illust. of lst Bolt.

3. The tumbler of a gunlock. Knight.

4. (Naut.) A projection on each side of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock in place.

Check nut, Jam nut, Lock nut, a nut which is screwed up tightly against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the first nut. -- Nut buoy. See under Buoy. -- Nut coal, screened coal of a size smaller than stove coal and larger than pea coal; -- called also chestnut coal. - - Nut crab (Zoöl.), any leucosoid crab of the genus Ebalia as, Ebalia tuberosa of Europe. -- Nut grass (Bot.), a plant of the Sedge family (Cyperus rotundus, var. Hydra), which has slender rootstocks bearing small, nutlike tubers, by which the plant multiplies exceedingly, especially in cotton fields. -- Nut lock, a device, as a metal plate bent up at the corners, to prevent a nut from becoming unscrewed, as by jarring. -- Nut pine. (Bot.) See under Pine. -- Nut rush (Bot.), a genus of cyperaceous plants (Scleria) having a hard bony achene. Several species are found in the United States and many more in tropical regions. -- Nut tree, a tree that bears nuts. -- Nut weevil (Zoöl.), any species of weevils of the genus Balaninus and other allied genera, which in the larval state live in nuts.

Nut, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nutted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nutting.] To gather nuts.

Nu"tant (?), a. [L. nutans, p. pr. of nutare to nod, v. intens. fr. nuere (in comp.) to nod; cf. Gr. &?;.] Nodding; having the top bent downward.

Nu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. nutatio a nodding, fr. nutare to nod: cf. F. nutation.]

1. The act of nodding.

So from the midmost the nutation spreads, Round and more round,
o'er all the sea of heads.

Pope.

2. (Astron.) A very small libratory motion of the earth's axis, by which its inclination to the plane of the ecliptic is constantly varying by a small amount.

3. (Bot.) (a) The motion of a flower in following the apparent movement of the sun, from the east in the morning to the west in the evening. (b) Circumnutation.

Nut"break`er (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) The European nuthatch. (b) The nutcracker.

Nut"-brown` (?), a. Brown as a nut long kept and dried. "The spicy nutbrown ale." Milton.

Nut"crack`er (?), n. 1. An instrument for cracking nuts.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A European bird (Nucifraga caryocatactes), allied to the magpie and crow. Its color is dark brown, spotted with white. It feeds on nuts, seeds, and insects. (b) The American, or Clarke's, nutcracker (Picicorvus Columbianus) of Western North America.

Nut"gall` (?), n. A more or less round gall resembling a nut, esp. one of those produced on the oak and used in the arts. See Gall, Gallnut.

Nut"hatch` (?), n. [OE. nuthake. See 2d Hack.] (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of birds of the genus Sitta, as the European species (Sitta Europæa). The white-breasted nuthatch (S. Carolinensis), the red-breasted nuthatch (S. Canadensis), the pygmy nuthatch (S. pygmæa), and others, are American.

Nut"hook` (?), n. 1. A hook at the end of a pole to pull down boughs for gathering the nuts.

2. A thief who steals by means of a hook; also, a bailiff who hooks or seizes malefactors. Shak.

Nut"job`ber (?), n. (Zoöl.) The nuthatch. [Prov. Eng.]

Nut"let (?), n. (Bot.) A small nut; also, the stone of a drupe.

Nut"meg (?), n. [OE. notemuge; note nut + OF. muge musk, of the same origin as E. musk; cf. OF. noix muguette nutmeg, F. noix muscade. See Nut, and Musk.] (Bot.) The kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), a native of the Molucca Islands, but cultivated elsewhere in the tropics.

This fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, of the size of a pear, of a yellowish color without and almost white within. This opens into two nearly equal longitudinal valves, inclosing the nut surrounded by its aril, which is mace The nutmeg is an aromatic, very grateful to the taste and smell, and much used in cookery. Other species of Myristica yield nutmegs of inferior quality.

American, Calabash, or Jamaica, nutmeg, the fruit of a tropical shrub (Monodora Myristica). It is about the size of an orange, and contains many aromatic seeds imbedded in pulp. -- Brazilian nutmeg, the fruit of a lauraceous tree, Cryptocarya moschata. -- California nutmeg, tree of the Yew family (Torreya Californica), growing in the Western United States, and having a seed which resembles a nutmeg in appearance, but is strongly impregnated with turpentine. -- Clove nutmeg, the Ravensara aromatica, a laura ceous tree of Madagascar. The foliage is used as a spice, but the seed is acrid and caustic. -- Jamaica nutmeg. See American nutmeg (above). -- Nutmeg bird (Zoöl.), an Indian finch (Munia punctularia). -- Nutmeg butter, a solid oil extracted from the nutmeg by expression. -- Nutmeg flower (Bot.), a ranunculaceous herb (Nigella sativa) with small black aromatic seeds, which are used medicinally and for excluding moths from furs and clothing. -- Nutmeg liver (Med.), a name applied to the liver, when, as the result of heart or lung disease, it undergoes congestion and pigmentation about the central veins of its lobules, giving it an appearance resembling that of a nutmeg. -- Nutmeg melon (Bot.), a small variety of muskmelon of a rich flavor. -- Nutmeg pigeon (Zoöl.), any one of several species of pigeons of the genus Myristicivora, native of the East Indies and Australia. The color is usually white, or cream-white, with black on the wings and tail. -- Nutmeg wood (Bot.), the wood of the Palmyra palm. -- Peruvian nutmeg, the aromatic seed of a South American tree (Laurelia sempervirens). -- Plume nutmeg (Bot.), a spicy tree of Australia (Atherosperma moschata).

Nut"megged (?), a. Seasoned with nutmeg.

Nut"peck`er (?), n. (Zoöl.) The nuthatch.

Nu"tri*a (?), n. [Sp. nutria an otter, fr. L. lutra, lytra.] The fur of the coypu. See Coypu.

Nu`tri*ca"tion (?), n. [L. nutricatio, fr. nutricare, nutricari, to suckle, nourish, fr. nutrix a nurse.] The act or manner of feeding. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Nu"tri*ent (?), a. [L. nutriens, p. pr. of nutrire. See Nourish.] Nutritious; nourishing; promoting growth. -- n. Any substance which has nutritious qualities, i. e., which nourishes or promotes growth.

Nu"tri*ment (?), n. [L. nutrimentum, fr. nutrire to nourish. See Nourish.]

1. That which nourishes; anything which promotes growth and repairs the natural waste of animal or vegetable life; food; aliment.

The stomach returns what it has received, in strength and nutriment
diffused into all parts of the body.

South.

2. That which promotes development or growth.

Is not virtue in mankind The nutriment that feeds the mind ?

Swift.

Nu`tri*men"tal (?), a. Nutritious.

Nu*tri"tial (?), a. Pertaining to, or connected with, nutrition; nutritious. [Obs.] Chapman.

Nu*tri"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. nutrition. See Nutritious.]

1. (Physiol.) In the broadest sense, a process or series of processes by which the living organism as a whole (or its component parts or organs) is maintained in its normal condition of life and growth.

In this wide sense it comprehends digestion, absorption, circulation, assimilation, etc., in fact all of the steps by which the nutritive matter of the food is fitted for incorporation with the different tissues, and the changes which it undergoes after its assimilation, prior to its excretion. See Metabolism.

2. (Physiol.) In a more limited sense, the process by which the living tissues take up, from the blood, matters necessary either for their repair or for the performance of their healthy functions.

3. That which nourishes; nutriment.

Fixed like a plant, on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition,
propagate, and rot.

Pope.

Nu*tri"tion*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to nutrition; as, nutritional changes.

Nu*tri"tious (?), a. [L. nutricius, nutritius, from nutrix, -icis, a nurse, nutrire to nourish. See Nurse, Nourish.] Nourishing; promoting growth, or preventing decay; alimental. -- Nu*tri"tious*ly, adv. -- Nu*tri"tious*ness, n.

Nu"tri*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. nutritif.] Of or pertaining to nutrition; as, the nutritive functions; having the quality of nourishing; nutritious; nutrimental; alimental; as, nutritive food or berries.

Nutritive plasma. (Biol.) See Idioplasma. -- Nutritive polyp (Zoöl.), any one of the zooids of a compound hydroid, or coral, which has a mouth and digestive cavity.

-- Nu"tri*tive*ly, adv. -- Nu"tri*tive*ness, n.

Nu"tri*ture (?), n. [L. nutritura, fr. nutrir&?; to nourish.] Nutrition; nourishment. [Obs.] Harvey.

Nut"shell` (?), n. 1. The shell or hard external covering in which the kernel of a nut is inclosed.

2. Hence, a thing of little compass, or of little value.

3. (Zoöl.) A shell of the genus Nucula.

To be, or lie, in a nutshell, to be within a small compass; to admit of very brief or simple determination or statement. "The remedy lay in a nutshell." Macaulay.

Nut"ter (?), n. A gatherer of nuts.

Nut"ting (?), n. The act of gathering nuts.

Nut"ty (?), a. 1. Abounding in nuts.

2. Having a flavor like that of nuts; as, nutty wine.

Nux` vom"i*ca (?). [NL., fr. L. nux &?; nut + vomere to vomit.] The seed of Strychnos Nuxvomica, a tree which abounds on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts of the East Indies. From this seed the deadly poisons known as strychnine and brucine are obtained. The seeds are sometimes called Quaker buttons.

Nuz"zle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nuzzied (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Nuzzling (?).] [See Noursle.]

1. To noursle or nurse; to foster; to bring up. [Obs.]

The people had been nuzzled in idolatry.

Milton.

2. [Perh. a corruption of nestle. Cf. Nustle.] To nestle; to house, as in a nest.

<! p. 988 !>

Nuz"zle (?), v. i. [Dim. fr. nose. See Nozzle.]

1. To work with the nose, like a swine in the mud.

And nuzzling in his flank, the loving swine Sheathed, unaware, the
tusk in his soft groin.

Shak.

He charged through an army of lawyers, sometimes . . . nuzzling
like an eel in the mud.

Arbuthnot.

2. To go with head poised like a swine, with nose down.

Sir Roger shook his ears, and nuzzled along.

Arbuthnot.

3. [Cf. Nuzzle, v. t., 2.] To hide the head, as a child in the mother's bosom; to nestle.

4. To loiter; to idle. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Ny (?). [Contr. fr. ne I.] Not I; nor I. [Obs.]

{ Ny, Nye (?) }, a. & adv. Nigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Ny"as (?), n. See Nias.

||Nyc`ta*lo"pi*a (?), n. [L. nyctalopia, fr. nyctalops a nyctalops, Gr. ||&?;. Gr. &?; meant, a person affected either with day blindness or ||with night blindness, and in the former case was derived fr. &?;, ||&?;, night + &?;, &?;, the eye; in the latter, fr. &?; + &?; blind + ||&?;.] (Med.) (a) A disease of the eye, in consequence of which the ||patient can see well in a faint light or at twilight, but is unable ||to see during the day or in a strong light; day blindness. (b) See ||Moonblink.

Some writers (as Quain) use the word in the opposite sense, night blindness. See Hemeralopia.

Nyc"ta*lops (?), n. [L., from Gr. &?;.] One afflicted with nyctalopia.

Nyc"ta*lo`py (?), n. Same as Nyctalopia.

Nyc*the"me*ron (?), n. [Gr. &?;; &?;, &?;, night + &?; day.] The natural day and night, or space of twenty-four hours.

Nyc"ti*bune (?), n. (Zoöl.) A South American bird of the genus Nyctibius, allied to the goatsuckers.

Nyc`ti*trop"ic (?), a. [From Gr. &?;, &?;, night + &?; turning.] (Bot.) Turning or bending at night into special positions.

Nyctitropic movements of plants usually consist in a folding or drooping of the leaves, the advantage being in lessening the radiation of heat.

Nyc"to*phile (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, night + &?; to love.] (Zoöl.) Any Australian bat of the genus Nyctophilus, having a very simple nasal appendage.

Nye (?), n. [Prob. fr. F. nid nest, brood, L. nidus nest. See Nest, and cf. Eye brood, Nide.] A brood or flock of pheasants.

||Ny*en"tek (?), n. (Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal (Helictis moscatus, or ||H. orientalis), native of Eastern Asia and the Indies. It has a ||dorsal white stripe, and another one across the shoulders. It has a ||strong musky odor.

{ Nyl"ghau, Nyl"gau } (?), n. [Hind. & Per. nlgw, prop., a blue cow; Per. nl blue + gw cow. See Lilac, and Cow the animal.] (Zoöl.) A large Asiatic antelope (Boselaphus, or Portax, tragocamelus), found in Northern India. It has short horns, a black mane, and a bunch of long hair on the throat. The general color is grayish brown. [Written also neelghau, nilgau, and nylghaie.]

Nymph (?), n. [L. nympha nymph, bride, young woman, Gr. &?;: cf. F. nymphe. Cf. Nuptial.]

1. (Class. Myth.) A goddess of the mountains, forests, meadows, or waters.

Where were ye, nymphs, when the remorseless deep Closed o'er the
head of your loved Lycidas ?

Milton.

2. Hence: A lovely young girl; a maiden; a damsel.

Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remembered.

Shak.

3. (Zoöl.) The pupa of an insect; a chrysalis.

4. (Zoöl.) Any one of a subfamily (Najades) of butterflies including the purples, the fritillaries, the peacock butterfly, etc.; -- called also naiad.

||Nym"pha (?), n.; pl. Nymphæ (#). [L. See Nymph a goddess.] 1. (Zoöl.) ||Same as Nymph, 3.

2. pl. (Anat.) Two folds of mucous membrane, within the labia, at the opening of the vulva.

||Nym*phæ"a (?), n. [L., the water lily, Gr. &?;.] (Bot.) A genus of ||aquatic plants having showy flowers (white, blue, pink, or yellow, ||often fragrant), including the white water lily and the Egyptia ||lotus.

Recent critics have endeavored to show that this genus should be called Castalia, and the name Nymphæa transferred to what is now known as Nuphar.

Nymph"al (?), a. Of or pertaining to a nymph or nymphs; nymphean.