n ['en] -n

  1. the 14th letter of the English alphabet
  2. a graphic representation of this letter
  3. a speech counterpart of orthographic n
  4. a graphic device for reproducing the letter n
  5. one designated nesp. as the 14th in order or class
  6. an indefinite number
  7. a constant integer or a variable taking on integral values
  8. something shaped like the letter N
  9. the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes
  10. en
  11. name
  12. nano-
  13. navy
  14. net
  15. neuter
  16. neutron
  17. noon
  18. normal
  19. north; northern
  20. note
  21. noun
  22. number

N -abbr

  1. newton
  2. nitrogen

Na -symbol

  1. sodium

NA -abbr

  1. national association
  2. no account
  3. North America
  4. not applicable
  5. not available

NAACP -abbr

  1. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

naan ['nän, 'nan] -n

  1. a round flat leavened bread esp. of the Indian subcontinent

nab ['nab] -vt

  1. to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend
  2. to seize suddenly

nabe ['nāb] -n

  1. a neighborhood theater usu. used in pl. with the
  2. neighborhood

na·bob ['nā-,bäb] -n

  1. a provincial governor of the Mogul empire in India
  2. a person of great wealth or prominence

na·celle [nə-'sel] -n

  1. a streamlined enclosure (as for an engine) on an aircraft

na·cho ['nä-(,)chō] -n

  1. a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings (as hot peppers or refried beans)

na·cre ['nā-kər] -n

  1. mother-of-pearl

na·cre·ous ['nā-krē-əs, -k(ə-)rəs] -adj

  1. possessing the qualities of, consisting of, or abounding in nacre
  2. iridescent

NAD [,en-(,)ā-'dē] -n

  1. a coenzyme C 21H 27N 7O 14P 2of numerous dehydrogenases that occurs in most cells and plays an important role in all phases of intermediary metabolism as an oxidizing agent or when in the reduced form as a reducing agent for various metabolites called also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diphosphopyridine nucleotide DPN

na·da ['nä-də] -n

  1. nothing

NaDene [nä-'dā-(,)nā, -'de-, -nē] -n

  1. a hypothetically related group of American Indian languages that includes the Athabascan family, Tlingit, and Haida

NADH [en-(,)ā-(,)dē-'āch] -n

  1. the reduced form of NAD

na·dir ['nā-,dir, 'nā-dər] -n

  1. the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
  2. the lowest point

NADP [,en-(,)ā-(,)dē-'pē] -n

  1. a coenzyme C 21H 28N 7O 17P 3of numerous dehydrogenases (as that acting on glucose-6-phosphate) that occurs esp. in red blood cells and plays a role in intermediary metabolism similar to NAD but acting often on different metabolites called also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate TPN triphosphopyridine nucleotide

NADPH [,en-(,)ā-(,)dē-(,)pē-'āch] -n

  1. the reduced form of NADP

NAFTA -abbr

  1. North American Free Trade Agreement

nag ['nag] -n

  1. horse
  2. one that is old or in poor condition
  3. to find fault incessantly : complain
  4. to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction
  5. to irritate by constant scolding or urging
  6. badger, worry
  7. one who nags habitually

na·ga·na [nə-'gä-nə] -n

  1. trypanosomiasis (esp. when caused by Trypanosoma brucei) of domestic animals

nah ['na, 'nä] -adv

  1. not so : no

Nah -abbr

  1. Nahum

Na·huatl ['nä-,wä-tᵊl] -n, adj or n

  1. a group of closely related Uto-Aztecan languages that includes the speech of several peoples (as the Aztecs) of central and southern Mexico and Central America

Na·hum ['nā-əm, -həm] -n

  1. a Hebrew prophet of the seventh century b.c.
  2. a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture

NAIA -abbr

  1. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes

na·iad ['nā-əd, 'nī-, -,ad] -n

  1. any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains
  2. an aquatic insect nymph (as of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)
  3. any of a genus ( Najasof the family Najadaceae) of submerged aquatic plants

na·if [nä-'ēf] -adj

  1. naive

naif -n

  1. a naive person

nail ['nāl] -n

  1. a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates
  2. a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
  3. a slender usu. pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
  4. to fasten with or as if with a nail
  5. to fix in steady attention
    • nail ed his eye on the crack
  6. catch, trap
  7. to expose usu. so as to discredit
  8. to arrest or punish for an offense
  9. strike, hit
  10. to put out (a runner) in baseball
  11. to perform or complete perfectly or impressively
    • nail ed a jump shot
  12. to gain or win decisively often used with down
    • nail down their consent
  13. to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably often used with down
  14. to copulate with

nail bed -n

  1. the vascular epidermis upon which most of the fingernail or toenail rests that has a longitudinally ridged surface often visible through the nail

nailbit·er ['nāl-,bī-tər] -n, adj

  1. something (as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety

nail·brush [-,brəsh] -n

  1. a small firm-bristled brush for cleaning the hands and esp. the fingernails

nail file -n

  1. a small narrow instrument (as of metal or cardboard) with a rough or emery surface that is used for shaping fingernails

nain·sook ['nān-,su̇k] -n

  1. a soft lightweight muslin

na·ive [nä-'ēv, nī-] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by unaffected simplicity : artless, ingenuous
  2. deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
  3. credulous
  4. not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
    • made the test with naive rats
  5. not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
  6. not having been exposed previously to an antigen
    • naive T cells
  7. self-taught, primitive
  8. produced by or as if by a self-taught artist
    • naive murals

na·ive·te [nä-,ēv-'tā, -,ē-və-; nä-'ēv-,tā, -'ē-və-; nī-] -n

  1. a naive remark or action
  2. the quality or state of being naive

na·ive·ty [nä-'ē-və-tē, -'ēv-tē, nī-] -n

  1. naivete

na·ked ['nā-kəd, esp Southern 'ne-kəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. not covered by clothing : nude
  2. : devoid of customary or natural covering : bare: as
  3. not enclosed in a scabbard
  4. not provided with a shade
  5. lacking pubescence or enveloping or subtending parts
  6. lacking foliage or vegetation
  7. lacking an external covering (as of hair, feathers, or shell)
  8. scantily supplied or furnished
  9. lacking embellishment : unadorned
  10. unarmed, defenseless
  11. lacking confirmation or support
  12. devoid of concealment or disguise
  13. unaided by any optical device or instrument
    • the naked eye
  14. not backed by the writer's ownership of the commodity contract or security

naked mole rat -n

  1. a mole rat ( Heterocephalus glaberof the family Bathyergidae) found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya that has nearly hairless wrinkled skin and is practically blind

na·led ['nā-,led] -n

  1. a nonpersistent organophosphate insecticide C 4H 7Br 2Cl 2O 4P used esp. to control crop pests and mosquitoes

na·li·dix·ic acid [,nā-lə-'dik-sik-] -n

  1. an antibacterial agent C 12H 12N 2O 3that is used esp. in the treatment of genitourinary infections

na·lor·phine [na-'lȯr-,fēn] -n

  1. a white crystalline compound C 19H 21NO 3that is derived from morphine and is used in the form of its hydrochloride as a respiratory stimulant to counteract poisoning by morphine and similar narcotic drugs

nal·ox·one [na-'läk-,sōn] -n

  1. a synthetic potent antagonist C 19H 21NO 4of narcotic drugs and esp. morphine that is administered esp. in the form of its hydrochloride

nal·trex·one [nal-'trek-,sōn] -n

  1. a synthetic opiate antagonist C 20H 23NO 4administered in the form of its hydrochloride

nam·bypam·by [,nam-bē-'pam-bē] -adj, n

  1. lacking in character or substance : insipid
  2. weak, indecisive

name ['nām] -n

  1. a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
  2. a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
  3. a descriptive often disparaging epithet
    • called him name s
  4. reputation
    • gave the town a bad name
  5. an illustrious record : fame
    • made a name for himself in golf
  6. a person or thing with a reputation
  7. family, clan
  8. appearance as opposed to reality
    • a friend in name only
  9. one referred to by a name
    • praise his holy name
  10. to give a name to : call
  11. to mention or identify by name
    • refused to name a suspect
  12. to accuse by name
  13. to nominate for office : appoint
  14. to decide on : choose
    • name the day of the wedding
  15. to mention explicitly : specify
    • unwilling to name a price
  16. of, relating to, or bearing a name
    • name tags
  17. appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production
  18. having an established reputation
  19. featuring celebrities

name·able ['nā-mə-bəl] -adj

  1. worthy of being named : memorable
  2. capable of being named : identifiable

namecall·ing ['nām-,kȯ-liŋ] -n

  1. the use of offensive names esp. to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation (as of a person or project) without objective consideration of the facts

name day -n

  1. the feast day of the saint after whom one is named

namedrop·ping [-,drä-piŋ] -n, vi

  1. the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others

name·less ['nām-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. obscure, undistinguished
  2. not known by name : anonymous
  3. having no legal right to a name : illegitimate
  4. not having been given a name : unnamed
  5. not marked with a name
    • a nameless grave
  6. incapable of precise description : indefinable
  7. too repulsive or distressing to describe

name·ly ['nām-lē] -adv

  1. that is to say : to wit

name of the game

  1. the essential quality or matter
    • patience is the name of the game in coastal duck hunting -- Dick Beals
  2. the fundamental goal of an activity

name·plate [-,plāt] -n

  1. something (as a plate or plaque) bearing a name (as of a resident or manufacturer)

name·sake [-,sāk] -n

  1. one that has the same name as another
  2. one who is named after another or for whom another is named

nan ['nän, 'nan] -n

(variant of naan)

  1. a round flat leavened bread esp. of the Indian subcontinent

nana ['na-nə] -n

  1. grandmother

nance ['nan(t)s] -n

  1. an effeminate male
  2. homosexual

NAND ['nand] -n

  1. a computer logic circuit that produces an output which is the inverse of that of an AND circuit

nan·di·na [nan-'dī-nə, -'dē-] -n

  1. a widely cultivated Asian evergreen shrub ( Nandina domestica) of the barberry family having red berries

nan·dro·lone ['nan-drə-,lōn] -n

  1. a semisynthetic anabolic steroid C 18H 26O 2derived from testosterone and used chiefly in the form of various ester derivatives

nan·keen [,nan-'kēn] -n

  1. a durable brownish yellow cotton fabric orig. loomed by hand in China
  2. trousers made of nankeen

Nan·kin ['nan-'kin, 'nän-] -n

  1. Chinese porcelain decorated in blue on a white ground

nan·no·plank·ton [,na-nō-'plaŋ(k)-tən, -,tän] -n

  1. the smallest plankton that consists of those organisms (as bacteria) passing through nets of very fine mesh silk cloth

nan·ny ['na-nē] -n

  1. a child's nurse or caregiver

nanny goat -n

  1. a female goat

nano- -comb form

  1. one billionth (10 9) part of
    • nano second
  2. nanotechnology
    • nano machine
  3. nanoscale
    • nano particle
    • nano tube

nano·crys·tal ['na-nə-,kris-tᵊl] -n, adj

  1. a nanoscale crystal

nano·gram ['na-nə-,gram] -n

  1. one billionth of a gram

nano·ma·chine [-mə-,shēn] -n

  1. a microscopic machine constructed by the use of nanotechnology

nano·me·ter ['na-nə-,mē-tər] -n

  1. one billionth of a meter

nano·par·ti·cle [-,pär-ti-kəl] -n

  1. a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers

nano·scale [-,skāl] -adj

  1. having dimensions measured in nanometers

nano·sec·ond [-,se-kənd, -kənt] -n

  1. one billionth of a second
  2. a very brief moment

nano·struc·ture ['na-nə-,strək-chər] -n, adj

  1. a nanoscale structure
  2. an arrangement, structure, or part of something of molecular dimensions

nano·tech ['na-nō-,tek] -n

  1. nanotechnology

nano·tech·nol·o·gy [,na-nō-tek-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. the science of manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular scale esp. to build microscopic devices (as robots)

nano·tes·la ['na-nō-,tes-lə] -n

  1. a unit of magnetic flux density equal to 10 9tesla

nano·tube [-,tüb] -n

  1. a microscopic tube whose diameter is measured in nanometers
  2. one of pure carbon : buckytube

Nan·tua sauce [näⁿ(n)-'twä-] -n

  1. a cream sauce flavored with shellfish (as lobster)

Na·o·mi [nā-'ō-mē] -n

  1. the mother-in-law of the Old Testament heroine Ruth

nap ['nap] -vi

  1. to sleep briefly esp. during the day : doze
  2. to be off guard
  3. a short sleep esp. during the day : snooze
  4. a hairy or downy surface (as on a fabric)
  5. to raise a nap on (fabric or leather)
  6. a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (as a horse race)
  7. one named in a nap
  8. to pick or single out in a nap

napa cabbage ['na-pə-] -n

  1. chinese cabbage

napa leather -n

  1. a glove leather made by tawing sheepskins with a soap-and-oil mixture
  2. a similar soft leather

na·palm ['nā-,päm, -,pälm also 'na- also nə-'pä(l)m] -n

  1. a thickener consisting of a mixture of aluminum soaps used in jelling gasoline (as for incendiary bombs)
  2. fuel jelled with napalm

napalm -vt

  1. to assault with napalm

nape ['nāp, 'nap] -n

  1. the back of the neck

na·pery ['nā-p(ə-)rē] -n

  1. household linen
  2. table linen

Naph·ta·li ['naf-tə-,lī] -n

  1. a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel

naph·tha ['naf-thə, ÷'nap-] -n

  1. any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents
  2. petroleum

naph·tha·lene [-,lēn] -n

  1. a crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon C 10H 8usu. obtained by distillation of coal tar and used esp. in organic synthesis

naph·thene ['naf-,thēn, ÷'nap-] -n, adj

  1. cycloparaffin

naph·thol ['naf-,thȯl, ÷'nap-, -,thōl] -n

  1. either of two isomeric derivatives C 10H 8O of naphthalene used as antiseptics and in the manufacture of dyes
  2. any of various hydroxy derivatives of naphthalene that resemble the simpler phenols

naph·thyl·amine [naf-'thi-lə-,mēn, ÷nap-] -n

  1. either of two isomeric crystalline bases C 10H 9N used esp. as dye intermediates

na·pi·er grass ['nā-pē-ər-] -n

  1. a tall stout African perennial grass ( Pennisetum purpureum) that resembles sugarcane and is widely grown for forage called also elephant grass

Na·pier·ian logarithm [nə-'pir-ē-ən-, nā-] -n

  1. natural logarithm

Na·pi·er's bones ['nā-pē-ərz-] -n

  1. a set of graduated rods (as of wood or bone) invented by John Napier and used for multiplication and division based on the principles of logarithms

na·pi·form ['nā-pə-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. globular at the top and tapering off abruptly
    • a napiform root

nap·kin ['nap-kən] -n

  1. a piece of material (as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
  2. : a small cloth or towel: as
  3. handkerchief
  4. kerchief
  5. diaper
  6. sanitary napkin

na·po·leon [nə-'pōl-yən, -'pō-lē-ən] -n

  1. a former French 20-franc gold coin
  2. an oblong pastry with a filling of cream, custard, or jelly
  3. one like Napoleon I (as in ambition)

nappe ['nap] -n

  1. sheet
  2. a large mass of rock thrust over other rocks
  3. one of the two sheets that lie on opposite sides of the vertex and together make up a cone

nap·py ['na-pē] -n

  1. liquor
  2. ale

nappy -n

  1. a rimless shallow open serving dish
  2. diaper
  3. kinky

na·prap·a·thy [nə-'pra-pə-thē] -n

  1. a system of treatment by manipulation of connective tissue and adjoining structures and by dietary measures that is held to facilitate the recuperative and regenerative processes of the body

na·prox·en [nə-'präk-sən] -n

  1. an analgesic and antipyretic NSAID C 14H 14O 3often used in the form of its sodium salt

narc ['närk] -n

  1. a person (as a government agent) who investigates narcotics violations

narc- -comb form

  1. deep sleep
    • narco lepsy
  2. illegal narcotics
    • narco -terrorism

nar·cis·sism ['när-sə-,si-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. egoism, egocentrism
  2. love of or sexual desire for one's own body

nar·cis·sus [när-'si-səs] -n

  1. a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who pines away for love of his own reflection and is then turned into the narcissus flower
  2. daffodil
  3. one whose flowers have a short corona and are usu. borne separately

nar·co ['när-(,)kō] -n

  1. narc

nar·co·lep·sy ['när-kə-,lep-sē] -n, adj

  1. a condition characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep often occurring with cataplexy and hypnagogic hallucinations

nar·co·lep·tic [,när-kə-'lep-tik] -n

  1. a person who is subject to attacks of narcolepsy

nar·co·sis [när-'kō-səs] -n

  1. a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or other chemical or physical agents

nar·coter·ror·ism ['när-(,)kō-'ter-ər-,i-zəm] -n

  1. terrorism financed by profits from illegal drug trafficking

nar·cot·ic [när-'kä-tik] -n

  1. a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
  2. a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not
  3. something that soothes, relieves, or lulls

narcotic [-ti-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. having the properties of or yielding a narcotic
  2. inducing mental lethargy
  3. of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics
  4. of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts

nar·co·tize ['när-kə-,tīz] -vb

  1. to treat with or subject to a narcotic
  2. to put into narcosis
  3. to soothe to unconsciousness or unawareness
  4. to act as a narcotic

nard ['närd] -n

  1. spikenard

na·res ['ner-(,)ēz] -n pl

  1. the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity

nar·ghi·le ['när-gə-lē] -n

  1. a water pipe for smoking that originated in the Near East

nark ['närk] -n

  1. stool pigeon

nark ['närk] -n

(variant of narc)

  1. a person (as a government agent) who investigates narcotics violations

Nar·ra·gan·sett [,na-rə-'gan(t)-sət] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of Rhode Island
  2. the Algonquian language of the Narragansett people

nar·rate ['ner-,āt, 'na-,rat, na-'rāt] -vt, n

  1. to tell (as a story) in detail
  2. to provide spoken commentary for (as a movie or television show)

nar·ra·tion [na-'rā-shən, nə-] -n, adj

  1. the act or process or an instance of narrating
  2. story, narrative

nar·ra·tive ['ner-ə-tiv, 'na-rə-] -n, adj, adv

  1. something that is narrated : story, account
  2. the art or practice of narration
  3. the representation in art of an event or story
  4. an example of such a representation

nar·ra·tol·o·gy [,ner-ə-'tä-lə-jē, ,na-rə-] -n, adj

  1. the study of structure in narratives

nar·row ['ner-(,)ō, 'na-(,)rō] -adj, adv, n

  1. of slender width
    • a long and narrow room
  2. of less than standard or usual width
    • a narrow sidewalk
  3. woven in widths usu. less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
  4. limited in size or scope
    • a narrow interpretation
  5. illiberal in views or disposition : prejudiced
  6. stingy, niggardly
  7. barely sufficient : close
    • won by a narrow margin
  8. barely successful
    • a narrow escape
  9. minutely precise : meticulous
    • a narrow inspection
  10. relatively rich in protein as compared with carbohydrate and fat
  11. tense

narrow -vt

  1. to decrease the breadth or extent of : contract often used with down
  2. to decrease the scope or sphere of : limit often used with down
    • narrow down the choices
  3. to lessen in width or extent : contract often used with down
  4. a narrow part or passage
  5. a strait connecting two bodies of water usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

nar·row·band [-,band] -adj

  1. operating at, responsive to, or including a narrow range of frequencies

narrow boat -n

  1. a barge with a beam of less than seven feet (2.1 meters)

nar·row·cast·ing [-,kas-tiŋ] -n

  1. radio or television transmission aimed at a narrowly defined area or audience (as paying subscribers)

nar·rowmind·ed [-'mīn-dəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking in tolerance or breadth of vision : petty

nar·thex ['när-,theks] -n

  1. the portico of an ancient church
  2. a vestibule leading to the nave of a church

nar·whal ['när-,wäl, -,hwäl, -wəl] -n

  1. an arctic cetacean ( Monodon monoceros) about 20 feet (6 meters) long with the male having a long twisted ivory tusk

nary ['ner-ē] -adj

  1. not any : not one
    • I must have it back as I have nary other copy -- Flannery O'Connor

NAS -abbr

  1. National Academy of Sciences
  2. naval air station

NASA -abbr

  1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

na·sal ['nā-zəl] -n

  1. the nosepiece of a helmet
  2. a nasal part
  3. a nasal consonant

nasal [nā-'za-lə-tē] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to the nose
  2. uttered with the soft palate lowered and with passage of air through the nose (as with m, n, , o, or a)
  3. characterized by resonance produced through the nose
  4. sharp, penetrating

na·sal·ize ['nā-zə-,līz] -vb, n

  1. to make nasal or pronounce as a nasal sound

NASCAR -abbr

  1. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing

na·scence ['na-sᵊn(t)s, 'nā-] -n

  1. nascency

na·scen·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. birth, origin

na·scent ['na-sᵊnt, 'nā-] -adj

  1. coming or having recently come into existence
    • a nascent middle class
    • her nascent singing career

NASD -abbr

  1. National Association of Securities Dealers

naso- -comb form

  1. nose and
    • naso pharynx
  2. nasal
    • naso gastric

na·so·gas·tric [,nā-zō-'gas-trik] -adj

  1. being or performed by intubation of the stomach through the nasal passages
    • a nasogastric tube

na·so·pha·ryn·geal [-fə-'rin-j(ē-)əl, -,fa-rən-'jē-əl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or affecting the nose and pharynx or the nasopharynx

na·so·phar·ynx [-'fa-riŋ(k)s] -n

  1. the upper part of the pharynx continuous with the nasal passages

nas·tic ['nas-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a movement of a plant part caused by disproportionate growth or increase of turgor in one surface

nas·tur·tium [nə-'stər-shəm, na-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Tropaeolumof the family Tropaeolaceae, the nasturtium family) of herbs of Central and So. America with showy spurred flowers and pungent edible seeds and leaves
  2. either of two widely cultivated ornamentals ( T. majusand T. minus)

nas·ty ['nas-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. disgustingly filthy
  2. physically repugnant
  3. indecent, obscene
  4. mean, tawdry
  5. extremely hazardous or harmful
    • a nasty undertow
  6. causing severe pain or suffering
    • a nasty wound
    • a nasty fall
  7. sharply unpleasant : disagreeable
    • nasty weather
  8. difficult to understand or deal with
    • a nasty problem
    • a nasty curveball
  9. psychologically unsettling : trying
    • a nasty fear that she was lost
  10. lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship
    • a nasty trick

NASW -abbr

  1. National Association of Social Workers

nat -abbr

  1. national
  2. native
  3. natural

na·tal ['nā-tᵊl] -adj

  1. native
  2. of, relating to, or present at birth
  3. associated with one's birth
    • a natal star

na·tal·i·ty [nā-'ta-lə-tē, nə-] -n

  1. birthrate

na·tant ['nā-tᵊnt] -adj

  1. swimming or floating in water
    • natant decapods

na·ta·tion [nā-'tā-shən, na-] -n

  1. the action or art of swimming

na·ta·to·ri·al [,nā-tə-'tȯr-ē-əl, ,na-] -adj

  1. of or relating to swimming
  2. adapted to or characterized by swimming
    • a natatorial leg of an aquatic insect

na·ta·to·ri·um [,nā-tə-'tȯr-ē-əm, ,na-] -n

  1. an indoor swimming pool

natch ['nach] -adv

  1. of course : naturally

Natch·ez ['na-chəz] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of southwestern Mississippi
  2. the language of the Natchez people

na·tes ['nā-,tēz] -n pl

  1. buttocks

nathe·less ['nāth-ləs] -adv

  1. nevertheless, notwithstanding

na·tion ['nā-shən] -n

  1. nationality
  2. a politically organized nationality
  3. a non-Jewish nationality
    • why do the nation s conspire -- Ps 2:1 (RSV)
  4. a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government
  5. a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usu. characterized by relatively large size and independent status
  6. group, aggregation
  7. a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)

na·tion·al ['nash-nəl, 'na-shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a nation
  2. nationalist
  3. comprising or characteristic of a nationality
  4. belonging to or maintained by the federal government
  5. of, relating to, or being a coalition government formed by most or all major political parties usu. in a crisis

national -n

  1. one that owes allegiance to or is under the protection of a nation without regard to the more formal status of citizen or subject
  2. a competition that is national in scope usu. used in pl.

national bank -n

  1. central bank
  2. a bank operating under federal charter and supervision

national forest -n

  1. a usu. forested area of considerable extent that is preserved by government decree from private exploitation and is harvested only under supervision

national guard -n

  1. a military establishment serving as a national constabulary and defense force
  2. a militia force recruited by each state of the U.S., equipped by the federal government, and jointly maintained subject to the call of either

national guardsman -n

  1. a member of a national guard

national income -n

  1. the aggregate of earnings from a nation's current production including compensation of employees, interest, rental income, and profits of business after taxes

na·tion·al·ise ['nash-nə-,līz, 'na-shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n

(variant of nationalize)

  1. to give a national character to
  2. to invest control or ownership of in the national government

na·tion·al·ism ['nash-nə-,li-zəm, 'na-shə-nə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. loyalty and devotion to a nation
  2. a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups
  3. a nationalist movement or government

na·tion·al·ist [-list] -n

  1. an advocate of or believer in nationalism
  2. a member of a political party or group advocating national independence or strong national government

nationalist -adj

  1. of, relating to, or advocating nationalism
  2. of, relating to, or being a political group advocating or associated with nationalism

na·tion·al·is·tic [,nash-nə-'lis-tik, ,na-shə-nə-'lis-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, favoring, or characterized by nationalism
    • nationalistic election speeches
  2. national

na·tion·al·i·ty [,na-shə-'na-lə-tē, ,nash-'na-] -n

  1. national character
  2. nationalism
  3. national status
  4. a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usu. protection on the part of the state
  5. membership in a particular nation
  6. political independence or existence as a separate nation
  7. a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state
  8. an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (as a nation)

na·tion·al·ize ['nash-nə-,līz, 'na-shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to give a national character to
  2. to invest control or ownership of in the national government

national monument -n

  1. a place of historic, scenic, or scientific interest set aside for preservation usu. by presidential proclamation

national park -n

  1. an area of special scenic, historical, or scientific importance set aside and maintained by a national government and in the U.S. by an act of Congress

national seashore -n

  1. a recreational area adjacent to a seacoast and maintained by the federal government

national socialism -n, adj

  1. nazism

na·tion·hood ['nā-shən-,hu̇d] -n

  1. nationality
  2. nationality
  3. nationality

na·tionstate ['nā-shən-'stāt, -,stāt] -n

  1. a form of political organization under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits a sovereign state
  2. a state containing one as opposed to several nationalities

na·tion·wide [,nā-shən-'wīd] -adj

  1. extending throughout a nation

nationwide -adv

  1. throughout the nation

na·tive ['nā-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. inborn, innate
    • native talents
  2. belonging to a particular place by birth
  3. closely related
  4. belonging to or associated with one by birth
  5. natural, normal
  6. grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity : local
  7. living or growing naturally in a particular region : indigenous
  8. simple, unaffected
  9. constituting the original substance or source
  10. found in nature esp. in an unadulterated form
    • mining native silver
  11. having a usu. superficial resemblance to a specified English plant or animal
  12. of, relating to, or being a member of an aboriginal people of No. or So. America : native american

native -n

  1. one born or reared in a particular place
  2. an original or indigenous inhabitant
  3. something indigenous to a particular locality
  4. a local resident
  5. a person who has always lived in a place as distinguished from a visitor or a temporary resident

Native American -n, adj

  1. a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the western hemisphere
  2. a Native American of No. America and esp. the U.S.

na·tiv·ism ['nā-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. a policy of favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants
  2. the revival or perpetuation of an indigenous culture esp. in opposition to acculturation

na·tiv·i·ty [nə-'ti-və-tē, nā-] -n

  1. the process or circumstances of being born : birth
  2. the birth of Jesus
  3. a horoscope at or of the time of one's birth
  4. the place of origin

natl -abbr

  1. national

NATO -abbr

  1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization

na·tri·ure·sis [,nā-trē-yu̇-'rē-səs] -n, adj or n

  1. excessive loss of sodium in the urine

na·tro·lite ['nā-trə-,līt] -n

  1. a hydrous silicate of sodium and aluminum that is related to zeolite

na·tron ['nā-,trän, -trən] -n

  1. a hydrous native sodium carbonate used in ancient times in embalming, in ceramic pastes, and as a cleansing agent

nat·ter ['na-tər] -vi

  1. chatter

natter -n

  1. idle talk or conversation : chat

nat·ty ['na-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. trimly neat and tidy : smart
    • natty clothes
    • a natty dresser

nat·u·ral ['na-chə-rəl, 'nach-rəl] -adj, n

  1. based on an inherent sense of right and wrong
    • natural justice
  2. being in accordance with or determined by nature
  3. having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature
  4. begotten as distinguished from adopted
  5. legitimate
  6. being a relation by actual consanguinity as distinguished from adoption
    • natural parents
  7. illegitimate
    • a natural child
  8. having an essential relation with someone or something : following from the nature of the one in question
    • his guilt is a natural deduction from the evidence
  9. implanted or being as if implanted by nature : seemingly inborn
    • a natural talent for art
  10. of or relating to nature as an object of study and research
  11. having a specified character by nature
    • a natural athlete
  12. occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature : not marvelous or supernatural
    • natural causes
  13. formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation
    • natural religion
    • natural rights
  14. having a normal or usual character
    • events followed their natural course
  15. possessing or exhibiting the higher qualities (as kindliness and affection) of human nature
    • a noble...brother...ever most kind and natural -- Shak.
  16. growing without human care
  17. not cultivated
    • natural prairie unbroken by the plow
  18. existing in or produced by nature : not artificial
    • natural turf
    • natural curiosities
  19. relating to or being natural food
  20. being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment : unregenerate
    • natural man
  21. living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society
  22. having a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious
    • a corporation is a legal but not a natural person
  23. of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world
    • natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe
  24. closely resembling an original : true to nature
  25. marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint
  26. having a form or appearance found in nature
  27. having neither flats nor sharps
    • the natural scale of C major
  28. being neither sharp nor flat
  29. having the pitch modified by the natural sign
  30. of an off-white or beige color

natural -n

  1. one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding
  2. a sign placed on any degree of the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding sharp or flat
  3. a note or tone affected by the natural sign
  4. a result or combination that immediately wins the stake in a game
  5. a throw of 7 or 11 on the first cast in craps
  6. one having natural skills, talents, or abilities
  7. something that is likely to become an immediate success
  8. one that is obviously suitable for a specific purpose
  9. afro

natural childbirth -n

  1. a system of managing childbirth in which the mother receives preparatory education in order to remain conscious during and assist in delivery with minimal or no use of drugs or anesthetics

natural family planning -n

  1. a method of birth control that involves abstention from sexual intercourse during the period of ovulation which is determined through observation and measurement of bodily symptoms

natural food -n

  1. food that has undergone minimal processing and contains no preservatives or artificial additives

natural gas -n

  1. gas issuing from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
  2. a combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used chiefly as a fuel and raw material
  3. gas manufactured from organic matter (as coal)

natural history -n

  1. a treatise on some aspect of nature
  2. the natural development of something (as an organism or disease) over a period of time
  3. the study of natural objects esp. in the field from an amateur or popular point of view

nat·u·ral·ise ['na-chə-rə-,līz, 'nach-rə-] -vb, n

(variant of naturalize)

  1. to confer the rights of a national on
  2. to admit to citizenship
  3. to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
  4. to bring into conformity with nature
  5. to cause (as a plant) to become established as if native
  6. to become established as if native

nat·u·ral·ism ['na-chə-rə-,li-zəm, 'nach-rə-] -n

  1. action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts
  2. a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance
  3. the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
  4. realism in art or literature
  5. a theory or practice in literature emphasizing scientific observation of life without idealization and often including elements of determinism

nat·u·ral·ist [-list] -n

  1. one that advocates or practices naturalism
  2. a student of natural history
  3. a field biologist

nat·u·ral·is·tic [,na-chə-rə-'lis-tik, ,nach-rə-] -adj, adv

  1. of, characterized by, or according with naturalism

nat·u·ral·ize ['na-chə-rə-,līz, 'nach-rə-] -vb, n

  1. to confer the rights of a national on
  2. to admit to citizenship
  3. to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
  4. to bring into conformity with nature
  5. to cause (as a plant) to become established as if native
  6. to become established as if native

natural killer cell -n

  1. a large granular lymphocyte capable of killing a tumor or microbial cell without prior exposure to the target cell and without having it presented with or marked by a histocompatibility antigen called also NK cell

natural law -n

  1. a body of law or a specific principle held to be derived from nature and binding upon human society in the absence of or in addition to positive law

natural logarithm -n

  1. a logarithm with eas a base

nat·u·ral·ly ['na-chər-ə-lē, 'nach-rə-, 'na-chər-] -adv

  1. by nature : by natural character or ability
    • naturally timid
  2. according to the usual course of things : as might be expected
    • we naturally dislike being hurt
  3. without artificial aid
    • hair that curls naturally
  4. without affectation
    • speak naturally
  5. with truth to nature : realistically

natural number -n

  1. the number 1 or any number (as 3, 12, 432) obtained by adding 1 to it one or more times : a positive integer
  2. any of the positive integers together with 0 : a nonnegative integer

natural philosophy -n

  1. natural science
  2. physical science

natural resource -n

  1. industrial materials and capacities (as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied by nature
  2. resource

natural science -n

  1. any of the sciences (as physics, chemistry, or biology) that deal with matter, energy, and their interrelations and transformations or with objectively measurable phenomena

natural selection -n

  1. a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment

natural theology -n

  1. theology deriving its knowledge of God from the study of nature independent of special revelation

na·ture ['nā-chər] -n

  1. the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence
  2. disposition, temperament
  3. a creative and controlling force in the universe
  4. an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual
  5. a kind or class usu. distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics
    • documents of a confidential nature
    • acts of a ceremonial nature
  6. the physical constitution or drives of an organism
  7. an excretory organ or function used in phrases like the call of nature
  8. a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity)
  9. the external world in its entirety
  10. humankind's original or natural condition
  11. a simplified mode of life resembling this condition
  12. the genetically controlled qualities of an organism
  13. natural scenery

na·tur·ism ['nā-chə-,ri-zəm] -n

  1. naturalism
  2. naturalism
  3. the worship of the forces of nature
  4. nudism

na·tu·rop·a·thy [,nā-chə-'rä-pə-thē] -n, adj

  1. a system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural agents (as air, water, and herbs) and physical means (as tissue manipulation and electrotherapy)

Nau·ga·hyde ['nȯ-gə-,hīd, 'nä-] -trademark

  1. used for vinyl-coated fabrics

naught ['nȯt, 'nät] -pron

  1. nothing
    • efforts came to naught
  2. nothingness, nonexistence
  3. the arithmetical symbol 0 : zero, cipher

naugh·ty ['nȯ-tē, 'nä-] -adj, adv, n

  1. vicious in moral character : wicked
  2. guilty of disobedience or misbehavior
  3. lacking in taste or propriety

nau·ma·chia [nȯ-'mā-kē-ə, -'ma-] -n

  1. an ancient Roman spectacle representing a naval battle
  2. a place for naumachiae

nau·pli·us ['nȯ-plē-əs] -n

  1. a crustacean larva in usu. the first stage after leaving the egg and with three pairs of appendages, a median eye, and little or no segmentation

nau·sea ['nȯ-zē-ə, -sē-ə; 'nȯ-zhə, -shə] -n, n or adj

  1. a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit
  2. extreme disgust

nau·se·ate ['nȯ-zhē-,āt, -shē-, -zē-, -sē-] -vb

  1. to become affected with nausea
  2. to feel disgust
  3. to affect with nausea or disgust

nauseating -adj, adv

  1. causing nausea or esp. disgust

nau·seous ['nȯ-shəs, 'nȯ-zē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. causing nausea or disgust : nauseating
  2. affected with nausea or disgust

naut -abbr

  1. nautical

nautch ['nȯch] -n

  1. an entertainment in India consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing girls

nau·ti·cal ['nȯ-ti-kəl, 'nä-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships

nautical mile -n

  1. : any of various units of distance used for sea and air navigation based on the length of a minute of arc of a great circle of the earth and differing because the earth is not a perfect sphere: as
  2. a British unit equal to 6080 feet (1853.2 meters)
  3. an international unit equal to exactly 1852 meters (6076.115 feet or 1.15 statute miles) used officially in the U.S. since July 1, 1954

nau·ti·loid ['nȯ-tə-,lȯid, 'nä-] -n, adj

  1. any of a subclass (Nautiloidea) of cephalopods bearing an external straight, curved, or spiral shell that were abundant chiefly in the Paleozoic but are represented in the recent fauna only by the nautiluses

nau·ti·lus ['nȯ-tə-ləs, 'nä-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Nautilus) of cephalopod mollusks of the So. Pacific and Indian oceans with a spiral chambered shell that is pearly on the inside called also chambered nautilus
  2. paper nautilus

nav -abbr

  1. naval
  2. navigable; navigation

nav·aid ['na-,vād] -n

  1. a device or system (as a radar beacon) that provides a navigator with navigational data

Na·va·jo ['na-və-,hō, 'nä-] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people of northern New Mexico and Arizona
  2. the language of the Navajo people

na·val ['nā-vəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to ships or shipping
  2. of or relating to a navy
  3. consisting of or involving warships

naval architect -n

  1. one who designs ships

naval stores -n pl

  1. products (as turpentine, pitch, and rosin) obtained from resinous conifers and esp. pines

nave ['nāv] -n

  1. the hub of a wheel
  2. the main part of the interior of a church
  3. the long narrow central hall in a cruciform church that rises higher than the aisles flanking it to form a clerestory

na·vel ['nā-vəl] -n

  1. a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
  2. the central point : middle

navelgaz·ing ['nā-vəl-'gā-ziŋ] -n

  1. useless or excessive self-contemplation

navel orange -n

  1. a seedless orange having a pit at the apex where the fruit encloses a small secondary fruit called also navel

na·vic·u·lar [nə-'vi-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. shaped like a boat
    • a navicular bone
  2. of, relating to, or involving a navicular bone
    • navicular disease

navicular -n

  1. : a navicular bone:
  2. one situated on the big-toe side of the tarsus in humans called also scaphoid
  3. scaphoid
  4. one situated in the hoof of a horse behind the coffin bone

nav·i·ga·ble ['na-vi-gə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships
    • navigable waterways
  2. capable of being navigated
    • navigable terrain
  3. capable of being steered

nav·i·gate ['na-və-,gāt] -vb

  1. to travel by water : sail
  2. to steer a course through a medium
  3. to operate an airplane
  4. get around, move
  5. to sail over, on, or through
  6. to make one's way over or through : traverse
  7. to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing
  8. to operate or control the course of (as an airplane)

nav·i·ga·tion [,na-və-'gā-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. the act or practice of navigating
  2. the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place
  3. the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled
  4. ship traffic or commerce

nav·i·ga·tor ['na-və-,gā-tər] -n

  1. one that navigates or is qualified to navigate

nav·vy ['na-vē] -n

  1. an unskilled laborer

na·vy ['nā-vē] -n

  1. a group of ships : fleet
  2. a nation's ships of war and of logistic support
  3. the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel
  4. a dark grayish purplish blue

navy bean -n

  1. a white-seeded kidney bean grown esp. for its nutritious seeds
  2. its seed

Navy Cross -n

  1. a U.S. Navy decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism in operations against an armed enemy

navy yard -n

  1. a yard where naval vessels are built or repaired

na·wab [nə-'wäb] -n

  1. nabob

nay ['nā] -adv

  1. no
  2. denial, refusal
  3. a negative reply or vote
  4. one who votes no
  5. not merely this but also : not only so but
    • the letter made him happy, nay, ecstatic

nay·say·er ['nā-,sā-ər, -,ser] -n

  1. one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something

Naz·a·rene [,na-zə-'rēn] -n, adj

  1. a native or resident of Nazareth
  2. christian
  3. a member of the Church of the Nazarene that is a Protestant denomination deriving from the merging of three holiness groups, stressing sanctification, and following Methodist polity

Na·zi ['nät-sē, 'nat-] -n, adj, vt

  1. a member of a German fascist party controlling Germany from 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler
  2. one who espouses the beliefs and policies of the German Nazis : fascist
  3. one who is likened to a German Nazi
  4. a harshly domineering, dictatorial, or intolerant person

Naz·i·rite ['na-zə-,rīt] -n

  1. a Jew of biblical times consecrated to God by a vow to avoid drinking wine, cutting the hair, and being defiled by the presence of a corpse

Na·zism ['nät-,si-zəm, 'nat-] -n

  1. the body of political and economic doctrines held and put into effect by the Nazis in Germany from 1933 to 1945 including the totalitarian principle of government, predominance of esp. Germanic groups assumed to be racially superior, and supremacy of the fuhrer