Part 4

NEWS, n[=u]z, _n.sing._ something heard of that is new: recent account: first information of something that has just happened or of something not formerly known: intelligence.--_v.t._ to report.--_ns._ NEWS'AGENT, one who deals in newspapers; NEWS'BOY, NEWS'MAN, a boy or man who delivers or sells newspapers; NEWS'-HOUSE, a printing-office for newspapers only; NEWS'LETTER, an occasional letter or printed sheet containing news, the predecessor of the regular newspaper; NEWS'MONGER, one who deals in news: one who spends much time in hearing and telling news; NEWS'PAPER, a paper published periodically for circulating news, &c.--the first English newspaper was published in 1622; NEWS'PAPERDOM; NEWS'PAPERISM.--_adj._ NEWS'PAPERY, superficial.--_ns._ NEWS'ROOM, a room where newspapers, magazines, &c. lie to be read; NEWS'VENDER, a seller of newspapers; NEWS'-WRIT'ER, a reporter or writer of news.--_adj._ NEWS'Y, gossipy. [Late M. E., an imit. of Fr. _nouvelles_.]

NEWT, n[=u]t, _n._ a genus of amphibious animals like small lizards. [Formed with initial _n_, borrowed from the article _an_, from _ewt_--A.S. _efeta_.]

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

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

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

NIB, nib, _n._ something small and pointed: a point, esp. of a pen: the bill of a bird: the handle of a scythe-snath.--_v.t._ to furnish with a nib: to point.--_adj._ NIBBED, having a nib. [NEB.]

NIBBLE, nib'l, _v.t._ to bite by small bits: to eat by little at a time.--_v.i._ to bite gently: to find fault.--_n._ act of nibbling: a little bit.--_ns._ NIBB'LER; NIBB'LING.--_adv._ NIBB'LINGLY. [Freq. of _nip_.]

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

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

NICE, n[=i]s, _adj._ foolishly simple: over-particular: hard to please: fastidious: marking or taking notice of very small differences: done with great care and exactness, accurate: easily injured: delicate: dainty: agreeable: delightful.--_adv._ NICE'LY.--_ns._ NICE'NESS, quality of being nice: exactness: scrupulousness: pleasantness; NIC'ETY, quality of being nice: delicate management: exactness of treatment: fineness of perception: fastidiousness: that which is delicate to the taste: a delicacy.--TO A NICETY, with great exactness. [O. Fr. _nice_, foolish, simple--L. _nescius_, ignorant--_ne_, not, _sc[=i]re_, to know.]

NICENE, n[=i]'s[=e]n, _adj._ pertaining to the town of _Nice_ or _Nicæa_, in Bithynia, Asia Minor, where an ecumenical council was held in 325 for the purpose of defining the questions raised in the Arian controversy--it promulgated the _Nicene Creed_. A second council, the seventh general council, held here in 787, condemned the Iconoclasts.

[Illustration]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NILGAU. See NYL-GHAU.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NIRLES, NIRLS, nirlz, _n._ herpes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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