📖 N — The English dictionary · page 9

netball — Everyday, meaning 1: Netball is a team game, popular in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries, in which two teams of seven try to throw a ball through a high ring with a net to score.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A netball is the ball used in this game.↗ Example: We play netball in PE on Fridays.↗ · You can't run while holding the ball in netball.↗ · She plays goal shooter in the netball team.↗ · Netball is very popular in New Zealand and Australia.↗ · Pass the netball within three seconds.↗ · Our netball team won the tournament.↗ · Put on your netball bib before the game.↗ · A netball goal is worth one point.↗

nether — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Lower or under, as in the bottom part of something. "↗ Nether-world" means the world below the earth.↗ Example: And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.↗ (Torah EXO.19.17, JPS 1917)↗ · For a fire is kindled in My nostril, and burneth unto the depths of the nether-world, and devoureth the earth with her produce, and setteth ablaze the foundations of the mountains.↗ (Torah DEU.32.22, JPS 1917)↗ · And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether, (Prophets 1KI.9.17, JPS 1917)↗ · Deeper than the nether-world; what canst thou know?↗ (Writings JOB.11.8, JPS 1917)↗ · Shall I ransom them from the power of the nether-world?↗ (Prophets HOS.13.14, JPS 1917)↗

nethermost — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Lowest, the deepest of all places.↗ Example: Thou hast laid me in the nethermost pit, in dark places, in the deeps.↗ (Writings PSA.88.7, JPS 1917)↗ · But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth.↗ (Writings PSA.63.10, JPS 1917)↗ · But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; but as for me, I will trust in Thee.↗ (Writings PSA.55.24, JPS 1917)↗

netted — Everyday, meaning 1: Caught with a net.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (sport) Scored, especially a goal in football or hockey.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (money) Earned or gained as profit after costs, as in "netted £500".↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (adjective) Covered with a net or a pattern like a net.↗ Example: The fishermen netted hundreds of fish.↗ · She netted the winning goal in the last minute.↗ · Our cake sale netted £85 for charity.↗ · We netted a butterfly and then let it go.↗ · The strawberries were netted to stop the birds eating them.↗ · He netted a hat-trick on Saturday.↗ · The pond was netted to keep the leaves out.↗ · Birds sang in the trees, which were netted over to keep them always there.↗

netting — Everyday, meaning 1: Netting is material made of string, rope, wire or plastic threads tied or woven into a mesh with holes.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Netting (verb form) means catching something in a net, or scoring a goal, or earning money after costs.↗ Example: We put netting over the strawberries so the birds could not eat them.↗ · The trampoline has safety netting around it.↗ · A hedgehog got tangled in the garden netting.↗ · The builders hung green netting over the scaffolding.↗ · Old fishing netting on the beach can trap seabirds.↗ · The striker was netting goals every week.↗ · Dad cut a piece of netting to cover the pond.↗ · The netting has holes small enough to keep out pigeons.↗

nettle — Everyday, meaning 1: A wild plant with jagged leaves covered in tiny hairs that sting and cause an itchy, burning rash when they touch your skin.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: As a verb, to nettle someone means to annoy them a little.↗ Example: I fell into a patch of stinging nettles.↗ · The nettle sting left itchy white bumps on my leg.↗ · Wear long trousers to walk through nettles.↗ · Caterpillars of the peacock butterfly eat nettles.↗ · Grandma makes soup from young nettle leaves, cooked so they don't sting.↗ · We rubbed a dock leaf on the nettle sting.↗ · Nettles have tiny hairs that sting.↗ · His teasing nettled her.↗ · All around grew nettles and tall grass.↗ · Among the bushes they bray; under the nettles they are gathered together.↗ (Writings JOB.30.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles, the face thereof was covered with nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.↗ (Writings PRO.24.31, JPS 1917)↗ · And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and thistles in the fortresses thereof; and it shall be a habitation of wild-dogs, an enclosure for ostriches.↗ (Prophets ISA.34.13, JPS 1917)↗

network — Everyday, meaning 1: A network is a system of lines, roads, wires or paths that cross or connect with each other.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A computer network is a group of computers connected so they can share information, like the internet.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A network is a group of people or organisations that are connected and help each other.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A TV or radio network is a group of stations showing the same programmes.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To network means to meet people who can help you, for example in work.↗ Example: The school computers are connected to a network.↗ · The internet is the largest network in the world.↗ · Britain has a big rail network.↗ · A spider's web is a network of silk threads.↗ · Nerves form a network through your body.↗ · Ask your family about your support network.↗ · The road network links all the towns.↗ · Social networks should not be used to share personal details.↗ · The naked earth peers through in the form of great letters and names; these form a network over the whole hill.↗ · And he made for the altar a grating of network of brass, under the ledge round it beneath, reaching halfway up.↗ (Torah EXO.38.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And thou shalt make for it a grating of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof.↗ (Torah EXO.27.4, JPS 1917)↗ · The conception of Creation as a network of ontological interdependencies is perhaps apparent in the ‘231 gates’ referred to above in SY 2:4; see also SY 6:2.]↗ How did He combine them?↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)↗ · And there were ninety and six pomegranates on the outside; all the pomegranates were a hundred upon the network round about.↗ (Prophets JER.52.23, JPS 1917)↗ · And there were capitals above also upon the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network; and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon each capital.↗ (Prophets 1KI.7.20, JPS 1917)↗ · and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars; (Prophets 1KI.7.42, JPS 1917)↗

neuter — Everyday, meaning 1: To neuter a pet animal is to have a vet do an operation so it can't have babies.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (grammar) Neuter means neither masculine nor feminine; some languages, like German, have neuter nouns.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Neuter can mean having no sex organs, like worker bees.↗ Example: We had our cat neutered at the vet.↗ · Neutering helps stop too many stray kittens.↗ · In German, «das Kind» is neuter.↗ · English nouns don't have neuter gender in grammar.↗ · Worker ants are neuter.↗ · The vet neuters dogs on Tuesdays.↗

neutered — Everyday, meaning 1: A neutered animal, like a cat or dog, has had a small operation by a vet so that it cannot have babies.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) Neutered can mean made weaker or less effective: a neutered law.↗ Example: Our cat has been neutered.↗ · The vet neutered the puppy.↗ · Neutered pets cannot have babies.↗ · The rescue centre only rehomes neutered dogs.↗ · "Is your rabbit neutered?" asked the vet.↗ · Having pets neutered stops there being too many strays.↗ · The new rule was neutered by changes and did very little.↗ · Our tom cat is neutered, so he won't father kittens.↗

neutral — Everyday, meaning 1: Not taking any side in an argument, game or war.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (science) Neither acid nor alkali (pH 7, like pure water).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (science) Having no electric charge.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Of colour: not bright; beige, grey, cream.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (noun) The gear position in a car where the engine is not connected to the wheels.↗ Everyday, meaning 6: Showing no strong feeling (a neutral face).↗ Example: The referee must be neutral.↗ · Pure water is neutral, neither acid nor alkali.↗ · Switzerland stayed neutral in the war.↗ · She painted the walls a neutral beige.↗ · Put the car in neutral before starting.↗ · His face was neutral, so I could not tell if he was cross.↗ · The final was played at a neutral ground.↗

neutralisation — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) A chemical reaction in which an acid and an alkali (or base) react and cancel each other out, making a salt and water.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The act of making something have no effect, or stopping a danger.↗ Example: Neutralisation happens when an acid reacts with an alkali.↗ · Indigestion tablets work by neutralisation of stomach acid.↗ · Acid + alkali → salt + water is a neutralisation reaction.↗ · After neutralisation, the universal indicator turned green.↗ · Farmers spread lime on acid soil for neutralisation.↗ · The bomb squad worked on the neutralisation of the old bomb.↗

neutralise — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) To make an acid or alkali neutral by mixing them: an antacid neutralises stomach acid.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To stop something from having an effect: neutralise the threat.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (euphemism) To kill or destroy an enemy, in military language.↗ Example: Toothpaste neutralises the acid in your mouth.↗ · An antacid tablet neutralises stomach acid.↗ · Lime is added to soil to neutralise acid.↗ · The defender neutralised the striker's speed.↗ · The report said the soldiers neutralised the target (a euphemism for killing).↗ · We used indicator paper to see when the acid was neutralised.↗ · The smell was neutralised with baking soda.↗

neutralize — Everyday, meaning 1: To stop something from having an effect, so it no longer does harm.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (science) To mix an acid with a base (alkali) so that the result is neither acid nor alkali.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (formal, euphemism) In war or crime stories, to stop or kill an enemy.↗ Example: Baking soda can neutralize vinegar.↗ · We added alkali to neutralize the acid in the test tube.↗ · Bee stings are acid, so some people use soap to neutralize them.↗ · The charcoal neutralized the bad smell in the fridge.↗ · The defender neutralized their best striker.↗ · The soldiers were told to neutralize the threat.↗

neutralized — Everyday, meaning 1: Made a substance neither acid nor alkali, by mixing in the opposite kind.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Stopped something from having its effect; made it harmless.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Made a weapon, threat or enemy unable to do harm (often military or police talk).↗ Example: The baking soda neutralized the vinegar and the fizzing stopped.↗ · The tablet neutralized the acid in his stomach.↗ · Lime is added to soil that is too acidic so it is neutralized.↗ · The bomb squad neutralized the danger.↗ · Opening the windows neutralized the smell of paint.↗ · Their best player was neutralized by our strong defence.↗ · Once the solution was neutralized, the indicator turned green.↗

neutron — Everyday, meaning 1: A neutron is one of the tiny particles inside the centre (nucleus) of an atom.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A neutron has no electric charge — it is neutral, neither positive nor negative.↗ Example: An atom has protons, neutrons and electrons.↗ · A neutron has no charge.↗ · Protons and neutrons are packed together in the nucleus.↗ · A neutron star is smaller than a city but heavier than the Sun.↗ · Most hydrogen atoms have no neutrons at all.↗ · Neutrons help split atoms in a nuclear power station.↗

neve — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) Névé: old, grainy snow on a glacier or high mountain that has partly melted and refrozen, on its way to becoming glacier ice.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: It may also be a typing error for "never" or "nerve", or part of a name.↗ Example: High on the mountain, the snow had turned to névé.↗ · Névé is snow that is halfway to becoming ice.↗ · The climbers crossed the hard névé early in the morning.↗ · In geography we learned how snow becomes névé and then glacier ice.↗ · Névé feels crunchy and grainy under your boots.↗

never — Everyday, meaning 1: Never means not at any time, not even once.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Never can also mean «not» in a strong way: «Never mind» means do not worry about it.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: «Never ever» is a strong way to say never.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (casual, UK, Ireland) «Never!» or «you never!» means I can't believe it: «He ate 12?↗ Never!».↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (casual, UK) «I never» often means simply «I didn't» about one time: «I never touched it!».↗ Everyday, meaning 6: (rough) «Never in a million years» and «not never» (broken grammar) mean a strong no: «I ain't never doing that.».↗ Everyday, meaning 7: (formal) «At no time», «on no occasion» and «under no circumstances» are the stiff forms: «Under no circumstances may the door be left open.».↗ Example: She never eats the red candies.↗ · He never misses a day of practice.↗ · Tom never spends his coins.↗ · Never cross the road without looking both ways.↗ · I have never been on a plane.↗ · Never mind, we can try again tomorrow.↗ · A square never has five sides.↗ · Better late than never!↗ · «She got 20 out of 20.»↗ «Never!↗ Seriously?»↗ (casual)↗ · I never took your crisps, ask him (casual, means «I didn't»)↗ · Never in a million years, mate — sod off.↗ (rough)↗ · At no time did the number of passengers exceed 40; state the maximum possible number.↗ (formal exam)↗ · Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me; but give me the damsel to wife.'↗ (Torah GEN.34.12, JPS 1917)↗ · And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill-favoured and lean-fleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness.↗ (Torah GEN.41.19, JPS 1917)↗ · For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy poor and needy brother, in thy land.'↗ (Torah DEU.15.11, JPS 1917)↗ · He that doeth these things shall never be moved.↗ (Writings PSA.15.5, JPS 1917)↗ · Now I had said in my security: 'I shall never be moved.'↗ (Writings PSA.30.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.↗ (Writings JOB.21.25, JPS 1917)↗