 | Term | Definition |
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n nadir |
lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith |
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naivet\'e(naivety) |
quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous |
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narcissist |
conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus |
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narrative |
related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration |
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n nascent |
incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music |
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natation |
swimming |
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n natty |
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser |
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s smart |
intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain |
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nauseate |
cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea |
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s nausea |
feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness |
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s nauseous |
causing nausea; feeling nausea |
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nautical |
pertaining to ships or navigation |
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n navigable |
(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered |
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n nebulous |
vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal |
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s nebula |
diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy |
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n necromancy |
black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis |
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n nefarious |
very wicked |
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negate |
cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation |
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negligence |
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care |
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negligible |
so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded |
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nemesis |
someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis |
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n neologism |
new or newly coined word or phrase |
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n neophyte |
recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant |
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n nepotism |
favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew |
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s favoritism |
display of partiality toward a favored person |
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n nether |
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions |
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n nettle |
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome |
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n nexus |
connection |
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n nib |
beak(bill); pen point |
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n nicety |
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties |
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n niggardly |
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person |
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n niggle |
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling |
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n nihilist |
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement |
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n nip |
snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill |
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s snip |
short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors |
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s pinch |
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger |
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n nirvana |
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude |
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s impersonal |
not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization |
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nocturnal |
done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne |
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n noisome |
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome |
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nomadic |
wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place |
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nomenclature |
terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things |
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nominal |
in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint |
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n nonchalance |
indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts |
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noncommittal |
neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided |
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n nondescript |
undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd |
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nonentity |
person of no importance; nonexistence |
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n nonplus |
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more |
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nostalgia |
homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic |
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n nostrum |
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy) |
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notable |
conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted |
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notoriety |
disrepute; ill fame |
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s nova |
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness |
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n novelty |
something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original |
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novice |
beginner |
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noxious |
harmful; CF. obnoxious |
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n nuance |
shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction |
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s shade |
slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey |
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s gradation |
series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression |
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n nubile |
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial |
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n nugatory |
worthless; futile |
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nullify |
make invalid; make null; invalidate |
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n numismatist |
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals |
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n nuptial |
related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony |
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n nurture |
nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing |
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n nutrient |
nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment |
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s nutrition |
process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition |
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s nutritious |
providing nourishment |
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s nourish |
provide with food necessary for life and growth |
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s nourishment |
something that nourishes; food |
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