📖 N — The English dictionary · page 13

nip — Everyday, meaning 1: To give a small, quick bite or pinch: «The puppy nipped my finger».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (UK, Ireland, Australia, informal) To go somewhere quickly for a short time: «I'll nip to the shop».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (noun) A small bite or pinch.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (noun) A feeling of cold: «a nip in the air».↗ Everyday, meaning 5: A small amount of a strong drink.↗ Example: The crab nipped my toe!↗ · Our puppy nips when he gets excited.↗ · I'll just nip to the shop for some milk.↗ · There's a nip in the air this morning.↗ · Can you nip upstairs and get my glasses?↗ · The teacher nipped the argument in the bud.↗ · The race was nip and tuck right to the end.↗

nipping — Everyday, meaning 1: Giving a quick, small bite or pinch.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (of cold) Biting or stinging, as in "a nipping wind".↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, informal) Going somewhere quickly for a short time, as in "nipping out to the shop".↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (with "in the bud") Stopping something before it grows bigger.↗ Example: The puppy keeps nipping at my socks.↗ · I'm just nipping out to the corner shop.↗ (UK)↗ · A crab was nipping at his toe.↗ · The nipping wind made our ears red.↗ · Mum is nipping to the post office, back in five minutes.↗ · Stop the teasing now and nip it in the bud.↗ · The frost was nipping the young plants.↗

nipple — Everyday, meaning 1: A nipple is the small raised point in the middle of each breast or on a man's or boy's chest; mothers feed babies milk through their nipples.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (US) A nipple is the rubber or plastic teat on a baby's bottle that the baby sucks; in the UK this is called a teat.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A nipple is a small nozzle on a machine, such as a grease nipple or a pipe fitting.↗ Example: All mammals have nipples.↗ · A mother pig has many nipples to feed her piglets.↗ · Babies drink milk from their mother's nipples or a bottle.↗ · Boys have nipples too, even though they do not make milk.↗ · (US) Put a clean nipple on the baby's bottle.↗ · (UK) The bottle teat was too small.↗ · The mechanic pumped grease into the nipple on the bike.↗ · We labelled the parts of a cow in science, including the udder and teats.↗

nippy — Everyday, meaning 1: (informal, UK and Australia) Nippy means cold, especially with a sharp, biting chill: a nippy morning.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) Nippy means quick and lively, able to move fast: a nippy little car.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (rare) Nippy describes a dog likely to nip or bite.↗ Example: Wrap up warm, it's a bit nippy this morning.↗ · The wind was nippy on the beach.↗ · Our new car is small and nippy in traffic.↗ · She's a nippy little player who dodges every tackle.↗ · That terrier can be nippy with strangers.↗ · It gets nippy at night in the desert.↗ · “You’re so nippy at it,” John said, “couldn’t you do it very slowly once?”↗

nirvana — Everyday, meaning 1: (religion) In Buddhism, nirvana is the state of perfect peace a person reaches when they are free from all desire and suffering and are no longer reborn; Buddhists believe the Buddha reached it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) Nirvana means a place or state of perfect happiness: «This chocolate shop is nirvana!».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (a name) Nirvana was a famous American rock band.↗ Example: Buddhists believe the Buddha reached nirvana.↗ · Nirvana means freedom from suffering in Buddhism.↗ · Following the Eightfold Path leads towards nirvana, Buddhists teach.↗ · (informal) Lying in the hammock in the sun was nirvana.↗ · For my brother, a pizza buffet is nirvana.↗ · Nirvana was a famous rock band from Seattle.↗ · We learned about nirvana in our lesson on Buddhism.↗ · «Nirvana» is a word from Sanskrit.↗

nisan — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: The first month of the Hebrew calendar, in spring, around March and April.↗ Example: The month Nisan begins about March .↗ 29th.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · The twelve months of the year are: Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tamus, Ab, Elul, Tishri, Marcheshvan, Kislev, Teves, Schevat and Adar.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · God produced He, predominant in Speech, crowned, combined, and formed Aries in the world, Nisan in the year, and the right foot of man.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗ · And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king.↗ (Writings NEH.2.1, JPS 1917)↗

nit — Everyday, meaning 1: A nit is the egg or young of a head louse, a tiny insect that lives in human hair.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal, UK, Australia, NZ) A nit or nitwit is a silly, foolish person.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To pick nits or nit-pick is to find small, unimportant faults.↗ Example: There are nits in our class, so check your hair.↗ · Mum combed out my nits with a nit comb.↗ · Nits stick tightly to hairs.↗ · Don't share hats, or you might spread nits.↗ · You nit!↗ You've put your shoes on the wrong feet.↗ · Stop nit-picking about my spelling.↗ · Having nits does not mean your hair is dirty.↗ · The nurse checked 30 heads and found nits on 4.↗

nitre — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: A salty mineral, a kind of soda, that people used for washing and cleaning.↗ Example: For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord GOD.↗ (Prophets JER.2.22, JPS 1917)↗ · As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.↗ (Writings PRO.25.20, JPS 1917)↗

nitrogen — Everyday, meaning 1: A gas with no colour, no smell and no taste that makes up about 78% (nearly four fifths) of the air around us.↗ It is a chemical element with the symbol N.↗ Example: Most of the air we breathe is nitrogen.↗ · About 78 out of every 100 parts of air are nitrogen.↗ · Plants need nitrogen to grow green leaves.↗ · The scientist froze a flower in liquid nitrogen.↗ · Nitrogen has the chemical symbol N.↗ · Fertilisers give plants extra nitrogen.↗ · Crisp packets are filled with nitrogen to keep crisps fresh.↗ · Nitrogen has no colour and no smell.↗

no — Everyday, meaning 1: No means not any, or zero.↗ «No apples» means zero apples.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: No is the answer when something is not true or you do not agree: «Is it raining?↗ No.».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: No can mean that something is not allowed: «No running», «No entry».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: No can mean «not» with comparisons: «no more», «no bigger than».↗ Everyday, meaning 5: «No.» with a dot is short for number: «No. 5».↗ Everyday, meaning 6: (casual) «Nah», «nope», «no way», «no chance» are everyday ways to say no; «no worries» (Australia, NZ) means it's fine; «no biggie» means it doesn't matter.↗ Everyday, meaning 7: (rough) «No bloody way», «no chance, mate» and «hell no» are rough strong refusals.↗ Everyday, meaning 8: (formal) «Not any», «nil», «none whatsoever» and «in the negative» are stiff forms: «The answer is in the negative.».↗ Example: She has no pencils left.↗ · No students were late.↗ · Is 15 an even number?↗ No.↗ · There are no more cookies.↗ · No running by the pool!↗ · It is OK to say no if a game feels unsafe.↗ · The box was no bigger than a shoe.↗ · The sign said «No dogs allowed».↗ · nah, no sweets left, ate the lot (casual)↗ · «Thanks for the lift.»↗ «No worries, mate.»↗ (casual, Australia)↗ · Lend you 5 quid?↗ No bloody way, you never paid me back.↗ (rough)↗ · Subsequent to the distribution, no items whatsoever remained; determine the original quantity.↗ (formal exam)↗ · "No, sir, by design," returned Aladdin.↗ · Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.↗ (Torah EXO.34.17, JPS 1917)↗ · And Sarai was barren; she had no child.↗ (Torah GEN.11.30, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.↗ (Torah EXO.20.3, JPS 1917)↗ · Is there no balm in Gilead?↗ (Prophets JER.8.22, JPS 1917)↗ · No evil shall come upon us'?↗ (Prophets MIC.3.11, JPS 1917)↗ · Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters.↗ (Writings 1CH.2.34, JPS 1917)↗

nob — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: The name of a town near Jerusalem where priests lived, and where David came while he was running from Saul.↗ Example: This very day shall he halt at Nob, shaking his hand at the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.↗ (Prophets ISA.10.32, JPS 1917)↗ · Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said unto him: 'Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?'↗ (Prophets 1SA.21.2, JPS 1917)↗ · Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said: 'I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.↗ (Prophets 1SA.22.9, JPS 1917)↗

nobility — Everyday, meaning 1: The nobility are the people of the highest social class, such as dukes, earls and lords, who have titles passed down in their families.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Nobility is also the quality of being noble: good, honest and brave.↗ Example: In the Middle Ages, the nobility owned most of the land.↗ · The king invited the nobility to the feast.↗ · Many of the nobility lost power in the French Revolution.↗ · He showed great nobility by forgiving his enemy.↗ · Members of the nobility had titles like duke and earl.↗ · The nobility sat in the House of Lords.↗ · Nobility is a distinction; it is a gold coin that bears the stamp of its own value.↗

noble — Everyday, meaning 1: Good, brave and honest; acting in a way that shows a fine character: «a noble deed».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Belonging to a high social rank, such as lords, dukes and princes.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (noun) A person of high rank in old times; a lord or lady.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Impressive and grand: «a noble horse».↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (science) Noble gases (helium, neon, argon…) hardly react with anything; noble metals like gold do not rust.↗ Example: It was noble of you to share your lunch.↗ · The nobles met at the king's castle.↗ · She was born into a noble family.↗ · Helping the poor is a noble cause.↗ · Neon is a noble gas used in bright signs.↗ · The knight did a noble thing and saved the village.↗ · Buddhists follow the Four Noble Truths.↗ · What a brave, noble man he was!↗ · The well, which the princes digged, which the nobles of the people delved, with the sceptre, and with their staves.↗ (Torah NUM.21.18, JPS 1917)↗ · And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand; and they beheld God, and did eat and drink.↗ (Torah EXO.24.11, JPS 1917)↗ · Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? — (Writings JOB.34.18, JPS 1917)↗ · To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; (Writings PSA.149.8, JPS 1917)↗ · By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.↗ (Writings PRO.8.16, JPS 1917)↗

nobleman — Everyday, meaning 1: A man who belongs to the nobility, the highest social class below the king or queen, with a title such as duke, earl, lord or count.↗ Example: A wealthy nobleman lived in the castle on the hill.↗ · The king called his noblemen to a meeting.↗ · The noblemen forced King John to sign Magna Carta.↗ · In the story, a poor girl married a nobleman.↗ · Noblemen rode to war with their knights.↗ · A nobleman's sons were taught to ride and fight.↗ · The French Revolution took power away from many noblemen.↗ · I am the daughter of a wealthy nobleman.↗

noblewoman — Everyday, meaning 1: A woman who belongs to the nobility, with a title such as duchess, countess or lady.↗ Example: The noblewoman wore a long silk gown.↗ · A noblewoman ran the castle while her husband was at war.↗ · Eleanor of Aquitaine was a powerful noblewoman and queen.↗ · In the story, the noblewoman helped the poor villagers.↗ · Noblewomen were often married for land and power, not love.↗ · The portrait shows a noblewoman with her children.↗ · She was born a noblewoman but chose to become a nun.↗

nobly — Everyday, meaning 1: In a fine, honest and generous way that shows good character and courage.↗ Example: The knight nobly kept his word.↗ · She nobly gave her last apple to the hungry dog.↗ · He behaved nobly when he lost the game.↗

nobody — Everyday, meaning 1: No person; not anyone.↗ e.g. "Nobody was home."↗ Everyday, meaning 2: As a noun, a person who is not important or famous.↗ Example: Nobody was at the park.↗ · Nobody knows the answer.↗ · Nobody likes being left out.↗ · Nobody's perfect.↗ · I knocked, but nobody answered.↗ · Nobody else got all the questions right.↗ · He felt like a nobody at the new school.↗ · If nobody can help, call 911.↗ · For a long time nobody answered.↗

nocturnal — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) Nocturnal animals are active at night and sleep during the day.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Happening at night: a nocturnal walk, nocturnal noises.↗ Example: Owls are nocturnal birds.↗ · Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so you see them at night.↗ · Bats use sound to find food on their nocturnal flights.↗ · Possums in Australia are nocturnal.↗ · Our hamster is nocturnal and runs on its wheel all night.↗ · We went on a nocturnal walk to see the stars.↗ · Many desert animals are nocturnal to avoid the heat.↗

nocturnally — Everyday, meaning 1: At night; in a way that happens during the night, especially about animals that are active at night.↗ Example: Hedgehogs feed nocturnally, so you rarely see them in the day.↗ · Bats hunt nocturnally for insects.↗ · Many desert animals live nocturnally to avoid the heat.↗ · Our hamster is active nocturnally and keeps us awake.↗ · Owls see well because they hunt nocturnally.↗ · The flowers open nocturnally and are visited by moths.↗