n ['en] -n
- the 14th letter of the English alphabet
- a graphic representation of this letter
- a speech counterpart of orthographic n
- a graphic device for reproducing the letter n
- one designated nesp. as the 14th in order or class
- an indefinite number
- a constant integer or a variable taking on integral values
- something shaped like the letter N
- the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes
- en
- name
- nano-
- navy
- net
- neuter
- neutron
- noon
- normal
- north; northern
- note
- noun
- number
N -abbr
- newton
- nitrogen
Na -symbol
- sodium
NA -abbr
- national association
- no account
- North America
- not applicable
- not available
NAACP -abbr
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
naan ['nän, 'nan] -n
- a round flat leavened bread esp. of the Indian subcontinent
nab ['nab] -vt
- to catch or seize in arrest : apprehend
- to seize suddenly
nabe ['nāb] -n
- a neighborhood theater usu. used in pl. with the
- neighborhood
na·bob ['nā-,bäb] -n
- a provincial governor of the Mogul empire in India
- a person of great wealth or prominence
na·celle [nə-'sel] -n
- a streamlined enclosure (as for an engine) on an aircraft
na·cho ['nä-(,)chō] -n
- a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings (as hot peppers or refried beans)
na·cre ['nā-kər] -n
- mother-of-pearl
na·cre·ous ['nā-krē-əs, -k(ə-)rəs] -adj
- possessing the qualities of, consisting of, or abounding in nacre
- iridescent
NAD [,en-(,)ā-'dē] -n
- 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
- nothing
NaDene [nä-'dā-(,)nā, -'de-, -nē] -n
- a hypothetically related group of American Indian languages that includes the Athabascan family, Tlingit, and Haida
NADH [en-(,)ā-(,)dē-'āch] -n
- the reduced form of NAD
na·dir ['nā-,dir, 'nā-dər] -n
- the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
- the lowest point
NADP [,en-(,)ā-(,)dē-'pē] -n
- 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
- the reduced form of NADP
NAFTA -abbr
- North American Free Trade Agreement
nag ['nag] -n
- horse
- one that is old or in poor condition
- to find fault incessantly : complain
- to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction
- to irritate by constant scolding or urging
- badger, worry
- one who nags habitually
na·ga·na [nə-'gä-nə] -n
- trypanosomiasis (esp. when caused by Trypanosoma brucei) of domestic animals
nah ['na, 'nä] -adv
- not so : no
Nah -abbr
- Nahum
Na·huatl ['nä-,wä-tᵊl] -n, adj or n
- 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
- a Hebrew prophet of the seventh century b.c.
- a prophetic book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture
NAIA -abbr
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes
na·iad ['nā-əd, 'nī-, -,ad] -n
- any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains
- an aquatic insect nymph (as of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)
- any of a genus ( Najasof the family Najadaceae) of submerged aquatic plants
na·if [nä-'ēf] -adj
- naive
naif -n
- a naive person
nail ['nāl] -n
- a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates
- a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail
- a slender usu. pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in
- to fasten with or as if with a nail
- to fix in steady attention
- nail ed his eye on the crack
- catch, trap
- to expose usu. so as to discredit
- to arrest or punish for an offense
- strike, hit
- to put out (a runner) in baseball
- to perform or complete perfectly or impressively
- to gain or win decisively often used with down
- to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably often used with down
- to copulate with
nail bed -n
- 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
- something (as a close contest) that induces tension or anxiety
nail·brush [-,brəsh] -n
- a small firm-bristled brush for cleaning the hands and esp. the fingernails
nail file -n
- 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
- a soft lightweight muslin
na·ive [nä-'ēv, nī-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by unaffected simplicity : artless, ingenuous
- deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
- credulous
- not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
- made the test with naive rats
- not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
- not having been exposed previously to an antigen
- self-taught, primitive
- produced by or as if by a self-taught artist
na·ive·te [nä-,ēv-'tā, -,ē-və-; nä-'ēv-,tā, -'ē-və-; nī-] -n
- a naive remark or action
- the quality or state of being naive
na·ive·ty [nä-'ē-və-tē, -'ēv-tē, nī-] -n
- naivete
na·ked ['nā-kəd, esp Southern 'ne-kəd] -adj, adv, n
- not covered by clothing : nude
- : devoid of customary or natural covering : bare: as
- not enclosed in a scabbard
- not provided with a shade
- lacking pubescence or enveloping or subtending parts
- lacking foliage or vegetation
- lacking an external covering (as of hair, feathers, or shell)
- scantily supplied or furnished
- lacking embellishment : unadorned
- unarmed, defenseless
- lacking confirmation or support
- devoid of concealment or disguise
- unaided by any optical device or instrument
- not backed by the writer's ownership of the commodity contract or security
naked mole rat -n
- 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
- 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
- an antibacterial agent C 12H 12N 2O 3that is used esp. in the treatment of genitourinary infections
na·lor·phine [na-'lȯr-,fēn] -n
- 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
- 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
- a synthetic opiate antagonist C 20H 23NO 4administered in the form of its hydrochloride
nam·bypam·by [,nam-bē-'pam-bē] -adj, n
- lacking in character or substance : insipid
- weak, indecisive
name ['nām] -n
- a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
- a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
- a descriptive often disparaging epithet
- reputation
- an illustrious record : fame
- made a name for himself in golf
- a person or thing with a reputation
- family, clan
- appearance as opposed to reality
- one referred to by a name
- to give a name to : call
- to mention or identify by name
- refused to name a suspect
- to accuse by name
- to nominate for office : appoint
- to decide on : choose
- name the day of the wedding
- to mention explicitly : specify
- unwilling to name a price
- of, relating to, or bearing a name
- appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production
- having an established reputation
- featuring celebrities
name·able ['nā-mə-bəl] -adj
- worthy of being named : memorable
- capable of being named : identifiable
namecall·ing ['nām-,kȯ-liŋ] -n
- 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
- the feast day of the saint after whom one is named
namedrop·ping [-,drä-piŋ] -n, vi
- the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others
name·less ['nām-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- obscure, undistinguished
- not known by name : anonymous
- having no legal right to a name : illegitimate
- not having been given a name : unnamed
- not marked with a name
- incapable of precise description : indefinable
- too repulsive or distressing to describe
name·ly ['nām-lē] -adv
- that is to say : to wit
name of the game
- the essential quality or matter
- patience is the name of the game in coastal duck hunting -- Dick Beals
- the fundamental goal of an activity
name·plate [-,plāt] -n
- something (as a plate or plaque) bearing a name (as of a resident or manufacturer)
name·sake [-,sāk] -n
- one that has the same name as another
- one who is named after another or for whom another is named
nan ['nän, 'nan] -n
(variant of naan)
- a round flat leavened bread esp. of the Indian subcontinent
nana ['na-nə] -n
- grandmother
nance ['nan(t)s] -n
- an effeminate male
- homosexual
NAND ['nand] -n
- 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
- a widely cultivated Asian evergreen shrub ( Nandina domestica) of the barberry family having red berries
nan·dro·lone ['nan-drə-,lōn] -n
- 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
- a durable brownish yellow cotton fabric orig. loomed by hand in China
- trousers made of nankeen
Nan·kin ['nan-'kin, 'nän-] -n
- Chinese porcelain decorated in blue on a white ground
nan·no·plank·ton [,na-nō-'plaŋ(k)-tən, -,tän] -n
- the smallest plankton that consists of those organisms (as bacteria) passing through nets of very fine mesh silk cloth
nan·ny ['na-nē] -n
- a child's nurse or caregiver
nanny goat -n
- a female goat
nano- -comb form
- one billionth (10 9) part of
- nanotechnology
- nanoscale
nano·crys·tal ['na-nə-,kris-tᵊl] -n, adj
- a nanoscale crystal
nano·gram ['na-nə-,gram] -n
- one billionth of a gram
nano·ma·chine [-mə-,shēn] -n
- a microscopic machine constructed by the use of nanotechnology
nano·me·ter ['na-nə-,mē-tər] -n
- one billionth of a meter
nano·par·ti·cle [-,pär-ti-kəl] -n
- a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometers
nano·scale [-,skāl] -adj
- having dimensions measured in nanometers
nano·sec·ond [-,se-kənd, -kənt] -n
- one billionth of a second
- a very brief moment
nano·struc·ture ['na-nə-,strək-chər] -n, adj
- a nanoscale structure
- an arrangement, structure, or part of something of molecular dimensions
nano·tech ['na-nō-,tek] -n
- nanotechnology
nano·tech·nol·o·gy [,na-nō-tek-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- 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
- a unit of magnetic flux density equal to 10 9tesla
nano·tube [-,tüb] -n
- a microscopic tube whose diameter is measured in nanometers
- one of pure carbon : buckytube
Nan·tua sauce [näⁿ(n)-'twä-] -n
- a cream sauce flavored with shellfish (as lobster)
Na·o·mi [nā-'ō-mē] -n
- the mother-in-law of the Old Testament heroine Ruth
nap ['nap] -vi
- to sleep briefly esp. during the day : doze
- to be off guard
- a short sleep esp. during the day : snooze
- a hairy or downy surface (as on a fabric)
- to raise a nap on (fabric or leather)
- a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (as a horse race)
- one named in a nap
- to pick or single out in a nap
napa cabbage ['na-pə-] -n
- chinese cabbage
napa leather -n
- a glove leather made by tawing sheepskins with a soap-and-oil mixture
- a similar soft leather
na·palm ['nā-,päm, -,pälm also 'na- also nə-'pä(l)m] -n
- a thickener consisting of a mixture of aluminum soaps used in jelling gasoline (as for incendiary bombs)
- fuel jelled with napalm
napalm -vt
- to assault with napalm
nape ['nāp, 'nap] -n
- the back of the neck
na·pery ['nā-p(ə-)rē] -n
- household linen
- table linen
Naph·ta·li ['naf-tə-,lī] -n
- a son of Jacob and the traditional eponymous ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel
naph·tha ['naf-thə, ÷'nap-] -n
- any of various volatile often flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures used chiefly as solvents and diluents
- petroleum
naph·tha·lene [-,lēn] -n
- 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
- cycloparaffin
naph·thol ['naf-,thȯl, ÷'nap-, -,thōl] -n
- either of two isomeric derivatives C 10H 8O of naphthalene used as antiseptics and in the manufacture of dyes
- any of various hydroxy derivatives of naphthalene that resemble the simpler phenols
naph·thyl·amine [naf-'thi-lə-,mēn, ÷nap-] -n
- either of two isomeric crystalline bases C 10H 9N used esp. as dye intermediates
na·pi·er grass ['nā-pē-ər-] -n
- 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
- natural logarithm
Na·pi·er's bones ['nā-pē-ərz-] -n
- 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
- globular at the top and tapering off abruptly
nap·kin ['nap-kən] -n
- a piece of material (as cloth or paper) used at table to wipe the lips or fingers and protect the clothes
- : a small cloth or towel: as
- handkerchief
- kerchief
- diaper
- sanitary napkin
na·po·leon [nə-'pōl-yən, -'pō-lē-ən] -n
- a former French 20-franc gold coin
- an oblong pastry with a filling of cream, custard, or jelly
- one like Napoleon I (as in ambition)
nappe ['nap] -n
- sheet
- a large mass of rock thrust over other rocks
- one of the two sheets that lie on opposite sides of the vertex and together make up a cone
nap·py ['na-pē] -n
- liquor
- ale
nappy -n
- a rimless shallow open serving dish
- diaper
- kinky
na·prap·a·thy [nə-'pra-pə-thē] -n
- 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
- an analgesic and antipyretic NSAID C 14H 14O 3often used in the form of its sodium salt
narc ['närk] -n
- a person (as a government agent) who investigates narcotics violations
narc- -comb form
- deep sleep
- illegal narcotics
nar·cis·sism ['när-sə-,si-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- egoism, egocentrism
- love of or sexual desire for one's own body
nar·cis·sus [när-'si-səs] -n
- a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who pines away for love of his own reflection and is then turned into the narcissus flower
- daffodil
- one whose flowers have a short corona and are usu. borne separately
nar·co ['när-(,)kō] -n
- narc
nar·co·lep·sy ['när-kə-,lep-sē] -n, adj
- 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
- a person who is subject to attacks of narcolepsy
nar·co·sis [när-'kō-səs] -n
- 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
- terrorism financed by profits from illegal drug trafficking
nar·cot·ic [när-'kä-tik] -n
- 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
- a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically addictive and narcotic or not
- something that soothes, relieves, or lulls
narcotic [-ti-k(ə-)lē] -adj, adv
- having the properties of or yielding a narcotic
- inducing mental lethargy
- of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics
- of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts
nar·co·tize ['när-kə-,tīz] -vb
- to treat with or subject to a narcotic
- to put into narcosis
- to soothe to unconsciousness or unawareness
- to act as a narcotic
nard ['närd] -n
- spikenard
na·res ['ner-(,)ēz] -n pl
- the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity
nar·ghi·le ['när-gə-lē] -n
- a water pipe for smoking that originated in the Near East
nark ['närk] -n
- stool pigeon
nark ['närk] -n
(variant of narc)
- a person (as a government agent) who investigates narcotics violations
Nar·ra·gan·sett [,na-rə-'gan(t)-sət] -n
- a member of an American Indian people of Rhode Island
- the Algonquian language of the Narragansett people
nar·rate ['ner-,āt, 'na-,rat, na-'rāt] -vt, n
- to tell (as a story) in detail
- to provide spoken commentary for (as a movie or television show)
nar·ra·tion [na-'rā-shən, nə-] -n, adj
- the act or process or an instance of narrating
- story, narrative
nar·ra·tive ['ner-ə-tiv, 'na-rə-] -n, adj, adv
- something that is narrated : story, account
- the art or practice of narration
- the representation in art of an event or story
- an example of such a representation
nar·ra·tol·o·gy [,ner-ə-'tä-lə-jē, ,na-rə-] -n, adj
- the study of structure in narratives
nar·row ['ner-(,)ō, 'na-(,)rō] -adj, adv, n
- of slender width
- of less than standard or usual width
- woven in widths usu. less than 18 inches (46 centimeters)
- limited in size or scope
- illiberal in views or disposition : prejudiced
- stingy, niggardly
- barely sufficient : close
- barely successful
- minutely precise : meticulous
- relatively rich in protein as compared with carbohydrate and fat
- tense
narrow -vt
- to decrease the breadth or extent of : contract often used with down
- to decrease the scope or sphere of : limit often used with down
- to lessen in width or extent : contract often used with down
- a narrow part or passage
- a strait connecting two bodies of water usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
nar·row·band [-,band] -adj
- operating at, responsive to, or including a narrow range of frequencies
narrow boat -n
- a barge with a beam of less than seven feet (2.1 meters)
nar·row·cast·ing [-,kas-tiŋ] -n
- radio or television transmission aimed at a narrowly defined area or audience (as paying subscribers)
nar·rowmind·ed [-'mīn-dəd] -adj, adv, n
- lacking in tolerance or breadth of vision : petty
nar·thex ['när-,theks] -n
- the portico of an ancient church
- a vestibule leading to the nave of a church
nar·whal ['när-,wäl, -,hwäl, -wəl] -n
- an arctic cetacean ( Monodon monoceros) about 20 feet (6 meters) long with the male having a long twisted ivory tusk
nary ['ner-ē] -adj
- not any : not one
- I must have it back as I have nary other copy -- Flannery O'Connor
NAS -abbr
- National Academy of Sciences
- naval air station
NASA -abbr
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
na·sal ['nā-zəl] -n
- the nosepiece of a helmet
- a nasal part
- a nasal consonant
nasal [nā-'za-lə-tē] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to the nose
- uttered with the soft palate lowered and with passage of air through the nose (as with m, n, , o, or a)
- characterized by resonance produced through the nose
- sharp, penetrating
na·sal·ize ['nā-zə-,līz] -vb, n
- to make nasal or pronounce as a nasal sound
NASCAR -abbr
- National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
na·scence ['na-sᵊn(t)s, 'nā-] -n
- nascency
na·scen·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- birth, origin
na·scent ['na-sᵊnt, 'nā-] -adj
- coming or having recently come into existence
- her nascent singing career
NASD -abbr
- National Association of Securities Dealers
naso- -comb form
- nose and
- nasal
na·so·gas·tric [,nā-zō-'gas-trik] -adj
- being or performed by intubation of the stomach through the nasal passages
na·so·pha·ryn·geal [-fə-'rin-j(ē-)əl, -,fa-rən-'jē-əl] -adj
- of, relating to, or affecting the nose and pharynx or the nasopharynx
na·so·phar·ynx [-'fa-riŋ(k)s] -n
- the upper part of the pharynx continuous with the nasal passages
nas·tic ['nas-tik] -adj
- 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
- 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
- either of two widely cultivated ornamentals ( T. majusand T. minus)
nas·ty ['nas-tē] -adj, adv, n
- disgustingly filthy
- physically repugnant
- indecent, obscene
- mean, tawdry
- extremely hazardous or harmful
- causing severe pain or suffering
- sharply unpleasant : disagreeable
- difficult to understand or deal with
- psychologically unsettling : trying
- a nasty fear that she was lost
- lacking in courtesy or sportsmanship
NASW -abbr
- National Association of Social Workers
nat -abbr
- national
- native
- natural
na·tal ['nā-tᵊl] -adj
- native
- of, relating to, or present at birth
- associated with one's birth
na·tal·i·ty [nā-'ta-lə-tē, nə-] -n
- birthrate
na·tant ['nā-tᵊnt] -adj
- swimming or floating in water
na·ta·tion [nā-'tā-shən, na-] -n
- the action or art of swimming
na·ta·to·ri·al [,nā-tə-'tȯr-ē-əl, ,na-] -adj
- of or relating to swimming
- 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
- an indoor swimming pool
natch ['nach] -adv
- of course : naturally
Natch·ez ['na-chəz] -n
- a member of an American Indian people of southwestern Mississippi
- the language of the Natchez people
na·tes ['nā-,tēz] -n pl
- buttocks
nathe·less ['nāth-ləs] -adv
- nevertheless, notwithstanding
na·tion ['nā-shən] -n
- nationality
- a politically organized nationality
- a non-Jewish nationality
- why do the nation s conspire -- Ps 2:1 (RSV)
- a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government
- a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usu. characterized by relatively large size and independent status
- group, aggregation
- a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)
na·tion·al ['nash-nəl, 'na-shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to a nation
- nationalist
- comprising or characteristic of a nationality
- belonging to or maintained by the federal government
- of, relating to, or being a coalition government formed by most or all major political parties usu. in a crisis
national -n
- one that owes allegiance to or is under the protection of a nation without regard to the more formal status of citizen or subject
- a competition that is national in scope usu. used in pl.
national bank -n
- central bank
- a bank operating under federal charter and supervision
national forest -n
- 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
- a military establishment serving as a national constabulary and defense force
- 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
- a member of a national guard
national income -n
- 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)
- to give a national character to
- to invest control or ownership of in the national government
na·tion·al·ism ['nash-nə-,li-zəm, 'na-shə-nə-,li-zəm] -n
- loyalty and devotion to a nation
- 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
- a nationalist movement or government
na·tion·al·ist [-list] -n
- an advocate of or believer in nationalism
- a member of a political party or group advocating national independence or strong national government
nationalist -adj
- of, relating to, or advocating nationalism
- 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
- of, favoring, or characterized by nationalism
- nationalistic election speeches
- national
na·tion·al·i·ty [,na-shə-'na-lə-tē, ,nash-'na-] -n
- national character
- nationalism
- national status
- a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usu. protection on the part of the state
- membership in a particular nation
- political independence or existence as a separate nation
- a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state
- 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
- to give a national character to
- to invest control or ownership of in the national government
national monument -n
- a place of historic, scenic, or scientific interest set aside for preservation usu. by presidential proclamation
national park -n
- 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
- a recreational area adjacent to a seacoast and maintained by the federal government
national socialism -n, adj
- nazism
na·tion·hood ['nā-shən-,hu̇d] -n
- nationality
- nationality
- nationality
na·tionstate ['nā-shən-'stāt, -,stāt] -n
- a form of political organization under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits a sovereign state
- a state containing one as opposed to several nationalities
na·tion·wide [,nā-shən-'wīd] -adj
- extending throughout a nation
nationwide -adv
- throughout the nation
na·tive ['nā-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- inborn, innate
- belonging to a particular place by birth
- closely related
- belonging to or associated with one by birth
- natural, normal
- grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity : local
- living or growing naturally in a particular region : indigenous
- simple, unaffected
- constituting the original substance or source
- found in nature esp. in an unadulterated form
- having a usu. superficial resemblance to a specified English plant or animal
- of, relating to, or being a member of an aboriginal people of No. or So. America : native american
native -n
- one born or reared in a particular place
- an original or indigenous inhabitant
- something indigenous to a particular locality
- a local resident
- a person who has always lived in a place as distinguished from a visitor or a temporary resident
Native American -n, adj
- a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the western hemisphere
- a Native American of No. America and esp. the U.S.
na·tiv·ism ['nā-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- a policy of favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants
- the revival or perpetuation of an indigenous culture esp. in opposition to acculturation
na·tiv·i·ty [nə-'ti-və-tē, nā-] -n
- the process or circumstances of being born : birth
- the birth of Jesus
- a horoscope at or of the time of one's birth
- the place of origin
natl -abbr
- national
NATO -abbr
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
na·tri·ure·sis [,nā-trē-yu̇-'rē-səs] -n, adj or n
- excessive loss of sodium in the urine
na·tro·lite ['nā-trə-,līt] -n
- a hydrous silicate of sodium and aluminum that is related to zeolite
na·tron ['nā-,trän, -trən] -n
- a hydrous native sodium carbonate used in ancient times in embalming, in ceramic pastes, and as a cleansing agent
nat·ter ['na-tər] -vi
- chatter
natter -n
- idle talk or conversation : chat
nat·ty ['na-tē] -adj, adv, n
- trimly neat and tidy : smart
nat·u·ral ['na-chə-rəl, 'nach-rəl] -adj, n
- based on an inherent sense of right and wrong
- being in accordance with or determined by nature
- having or constituting a classification based on features existing in nature
- begotten as distinguished from adopted
- legitimate
- being a relation by actual consanguinity as distinguished from adoption
- illegitimate
- 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
- implanted or being as if implanted by nature : seemingly inborn
- of or relating to nature as an object of study and research
- having a specified character by nature
- occurring in conformity with the ordinary course of nature : not marvelous or supernatural
- formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation
- having a normal or usual character
- events followed their natural course
- possessing or exhibiting the higher qualities (as kindliness and affection) of human nature
- a noble...brother...ever most kind and natural -- Shak.
- growing without human care
- not cultivated
- natural prairie unbroken by the plow
- existing in or produced by nature : not artificial
- relating to or being natural food
- being in a state of nature without spiritual enlightenment : unregenerate
- living in or as if in a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society
- 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
- of, relating to, or operating in the physical as opposed to the spiritual world
- natural laws describe phenomena of the physical universe
- closely resembling an original : true to nature
- marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint
- having a form or appearance found in nature
- having neither flats nor sharps
- the natural scale of C major
- being neither sharp nor flat
- having the pitch modified by the natural sign
- of an off-white or beige color
natural -n
- one born without the usual powers of reason and understanding
- a sign placed on any degree of the musical staff to nullify the effect of a preceding sharp or flat
- a note or tone affected by the natural sign
- a result or combination that immediately wins the stake in a game
- a throw of 7 or 11 on the first cast in craps
- one having natural skills, talents, or abilities
- something that is likely to become an immediate success
- one that is obviously suitable for a specific purpose
- afro
natural childbirth -n
- 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
- 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
- food that has undergone minimal processing and contains no preservatives or artificial additives
natural gas -n
- gas issuing from the earth's crust through natural openings or bored wells
- a combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used chiefly as a fuel and raw material
- gas manufactured from organic matter (as coal)
natural history -n
- a treatise on some aspect of nature
- the natural development of something (as an organism or disease) over a period of time
- 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)
- to confer the rights of a national on
- to admit to citizenship
- to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
- to bring into conformity with nature
- to cause (as a plant) to become established as if native
- to become established as if native
nat·u·ral·ism ['na-chə-rə-,li-zəm, 'nach-rə-] -n
- action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts
- a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance
- the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
- realism in art or literature
- 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
- one that advocates or practices naturalism
- a student of natural history
- a field biologist
nat·u·ral·is·tic [,na-chə-rə-'lis-tik, ,nach-rə-] -adj, adv
- of, characterized by, or according with naturalism
nat·u·ral·ize ['na-chə-rə-,līz, 'nach-rə-] -vb, n
- to confer the rights of a national on
- to admit to citizenship
- to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
- to bring into conformity with nature
- to cause (as a plant) to become established as if native
- to become established as if native
natural killer cell -n
- 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
- 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
- a logarithm with eas a base
nat·u·ral·ly ['na-chər-ə-lē, 'nach-rə-, 'na-chər-] -adv
- by nature : by natural character or ability
- according to the usual course of things : as might be expected
- we naturally dislike being hurt
- without artificial aid
- hair that curls naturally
- without affectation
- with truth to nature : realistically
natural number -n
- the number 1 or any number (as 3, 12, 432) obtained by adding 1 to it one or more times : a positive integer
- any of the positive integers together with 0 : a nonnegative integer
natural philosophy -n
- natural science
- physical science
natural resource -n
- industrial materials and capacities (as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied by nature
- resource
natural science -n
- 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
- 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
- theology deriving its knowledge of God from the study of nature independent of special revelation
na·ture ['nā-chər] -n
- the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence
- disposition, temperament
- a creative and controlling force in the universe
- an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual
- a kind or class usu. distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics
- documents of a confidential nature
- acts of a ceremonial nature
- the physical constitution or drives of an organism
- an excretory organ or function used in phrases like the call of nature
- a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity)
- the external world in its entirety
- humankind's original or natural condition
- a simplified mode of life resembling this condition
- the genetically controlled qualities of an organism
- natural scenery
na·tur·ism ['nā-chə-,ri-zəm] -n
- naturalism
- naturalism
- the worship of the forces of nature
- nudism
na·tu·rop·a·thy [,nā-chə-'rä-pə-thē] -n, adj
- 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
- used for vinyl-coated fabrics
naught ['nȯt, 'nät] -pron
- nothing
- nothingness, nonexistence
- the arithmetical symbol 0 : zero, cipher
naugh·ty ['nȯ-tē, 'nä-] -adj, adv, n
- vicious in moral character : wicked
- guilty of disobedience or misbehavior
- lacking in taste or propriety
nau·ma·chia [nȯ-'mā-kē-ə, -'ma-] -n
- an ancient Roman spectacle representing a naval battle
- a place for naumachiae
nau·pli·us ['nȯ-plē-əs] -n
- 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
- a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit
- extreme disgust
nau·se·ate ['nȯ-zhē-,āt, -shē-, -zē-, -sē-] -vb
- to become affected with nausea
- to feel disgust
- to affect with nausea or disgust
nauseating -adj, adv
- causing nausea or esp. disgust
nau·seous ['nȯ-shəs, 'nȯ-zē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- causing nausea or disgust : nauseating
- affected with nausea or disgust
naut -abbr
- nautical
nautch ['nȯch] -n
- an entertainment in India consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing girls
nau·ti·cal ['nȯ-ti-kəl, 'nä-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships
nautical mile -n
- : 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
- a British unit equal to 6080 feet (1853.2 meters)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- paper nautilus
nav -abbr
- naval
- navigable; navigation
nav·aid ['na-,vād] -n
- a device or system (as a radar beacon) that provides a navigator with navigational data
Na·va·jo ['na-və-,hō, 'nä-] -n
- a member of an American Indian people of northern New Mexico and Arizona
- the language of the Navajo people
na·val ['nā-vəl] -adj
- of or relating to ships or shipping
- of or relating to a navy
- consisting of or involving warships
naval architect -n
- one who designs ships
naval stores -n pl
- products (as turpentine, pitch, and rosin) obtained from resinous conifers and esp. pines
nave ['nāv] -n
- the hub of a wheel
- the main part of the interior of a church
- 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
- a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
- the central point : middle
navelgaz·ing ['nā-vəl-'gā-ziŋ] -n
- useless or excessive self-contemplation
navel orange -n
- 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
- shaped like a boat
- of, relating to, or involving a navicular bone
navicular -n
- : a navicular bone:
- one situated on the big-toe side of the tarsus in humans called also scaphoid
- scaphoid
- one situated in the hoof of a horse behind the coffin bone
nav·i·ga·ble ['na-vi-gə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships
- capable of being navigated
- capable of being steered
nav·i·gate ['na-və-,gāt] -vb
- to travel by water : sail
- to steer a course through a medium
- to operate an airplane
- get around, move
- to sail over, on, or through
- to make one's way over or through : traverse
- to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing
- to operate or control the course of (as an airplane)
nav·i·ga·tion [,na-və-'gā-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the act or practice of navigating
- the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place
- the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled
- ship traffic or commerce
nav·i·ga·tor ['na-və-,gā-tər] -n
- one that navigates or is qualified to navigate
nav·vy ['na-vē] -n
- an unskilled laborer
na·vy ['nā-vē] -n
- a group of ships : fleet
- a nation's ships of war and of logistic support
- the complete naval establishment of a nation including yards, stations, ships, and personnel
- a dark grayish purplish blue
navy bean -n
- a white-seeded kidney bean grown esp. for its nutritious seeds
- its seed
Navy Cross -n
- a U.S. Navy decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism in operations against an armed enemy
navy yard -n
- a yard where naval vessels are built or repaired
na·wab [nə-'wäb] -n
- nabob
nay ['nā] -adv
- no
- denial, refusal
- a negative reply or vote
- one who votes no
- not merely this but also : not only so but
- the letter made him happy, nay, ecstatic
nay·say·er ['nā-,sā-ər, -,ser] -n
- one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something
Naz·a·rene [,na-zə-'rēn] -n, adj
- a native or resident of Nazareth
- christian
- 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
- a member of a German fascist party controlling Germany from 1933 to 1945 under Adolf Hitler
- one who espouses the beliefs and policies of the German Nazis : fascist
- one who is likened to a German Nazi
- a harshly domineering, dictatorial, or intolerant person
Naz·i·rite ['na-zə-,rīt] -n
- 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
- 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