Nephalist - Nesslerize

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Nephalist (nĕfȧlĭst), n. [Cf. F. néphaliste.] One who advocates or practices nephalism.
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{ Nepheline (nĕf�lĭn), Nephelite (nĕf�līt) }, n. [Gr. nefelh cloud: cf. F. néphéline. Cf. .] (Min.) A mineral occuring at Vesuvius, in glassy hexagonal crystals; also elsewhere, in grayish or greenish masses having a greasy luster, as the variety elæolite. It is a silicate of aluminia, soda, and potash.
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Nephelodometer (nĕf�l�dŏm�tẽr), n. [Gr. nefelh a cloud + odos way + -meter.] (Meteorol.) An instrument for reckoning the distances or velocities of clouds.
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Nephelometer (nĕf�lŏm�tẽr), n. [Gr. nefelh a cloud + -meter.] 1. An instrument for measuring or registering the amount of cloudiness.
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2. (Chem., Microbiol.) An instrument which measures the degree to which liquid suspensions scatter light, and by inference, the concentration of scattering particles in the suspension. It is used for various purposes, such as to estimate the number of bacteria in suspension in a liquid.
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Nephew (nĕf�; in England nĕv�; 277), n. [OE. neveu, nevou, nevu, fr. F. neveu, OF. also, nevou, L. nepos; akin to AS. nefa, D. neef, G. neffe, OHG. nevo, Icel. nefi a kinsman, Gr. nepodes, pl., brood, young, Skr. nepāt grandson, descendant. √262. Cf. , .] 1. A grandson or grandchild, or remoter lineal descendant. [Obs.]
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But if any widow have children or nephews [Rev. Ver. grandchildren]. 1 Tim. v. 4.
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If naturalists say true that nephews are often liker to their grandfathers than to their fathers. Jer. Taylor.
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2. A cousin. [Obs.] Shak.
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3. The son of a brother or a sister, or of a brother-in-law or sister-in-law. Chaucer.
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Nephilim (?), n. pl. [Heb. nĕphīlīm.] Giants. Gen. vi. 4. Num. xiii. 33.
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Nephoscope (?), n. [Gr. nefos a cloud + -scope.] (Meteorol.) An instrument for observing the clouds and their velocity.
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{ Nephralgia (?), Nephralgy (?) }, n. [NL. nephralgia, fr. Gr. nefros a kidney + � pain: cf. F. néphralgie.] (Med.) Neuralgia of the kidneys; a disease characterized by pain in the region of the kidneys without any structural lesion of the latter. Quain.
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Nephridial (?), a. (Zoöl. & Anat.) Of or pertaining to a nephridium.
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Nephridium (?), n.; pl. Nephridia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. � of the kidneys.] (Zoöl. & Anat.) A segmental tubule; one of the tubules of the primitive urinogenital organs; a segmental organ. See Illust. under .
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nephrite (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. néphrite. See .] (Min.) A hard compact mineral, of a dark green color, formerly worn as a remedy for diseases of the kidneys, whence its name; kidney stone; a kind of jade. It varies in color from white to dark green. It is the more common and less valuable variety of jade, the other being jadeite. Large deposits are found in Australia. Called also nephritic stone. See also . [MW10]
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{ Nephritic (?), Nephritical (?) }, a. [L. nephriticus, Gr. nefritikos: cf. F. néphrétique. See .] 1. Of or pertaining to the kidneys or urinary organs; renal; as, a nephritic disease.
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2. (Med.) (a) Affected with a disease of the kidneys; as, a nephritic patient. (b) Relieving disorders of the kidneys; affecting the kidneys; as, a nephritic medicine.
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3. Of or pertaining to nephrite.
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Coloq. Nephritic stone (Min.), Nephrite; jade. See .
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Nephritic, n. (Med.) A medicine adapted to relieve or cure disease of the kidneys.
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Nephritis (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. nefri^tis (sc. �), fr. nefros a kidney.] (Med.) An inflammation of the kidneys.
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nephrolithic (?), a. [Gr. nefros a kidney + -lith + ic.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to kidney stones, or renal calculi. Dunglison.
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Nephrology (?), n. [Gr. nefros a kidney + -logy.] A treatise on, or the science which treats of, the kidneys, and their structure and functions.
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Nephropsidae prop. n. A natural family in some classifications coextensive with the Homaridae.
Syn. -- family Nephropsidae.
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Nephrostome (?), n. [Gr. nefros a kidney + stoma mouth.] (Zoöl. & Anat.) The funnel-shaped opening of a nephridium into the body cavity.
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Nephrotomy (?), n. [Gr. nefros a kidney + temnein to cut: cf. F. néphrotomie.] (Surg.) Extraction of stone from the kidney by cutting.
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Nephthys prop. n. The goddess associated with ritual of the dead; sister of Geb and Nut; wife of Set.
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nephthytis n. Any plant of the genus Nephthytis.
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Nepidae prop. n. A natural family of water scorpions.
Syn. -- family Nepidae.
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Ne plus ultra (?). [L., no further; ne no, not + plus more + ultra beyond.] 1. The uttermost point to which one can go or attain; hence, the summit of achievement; the highest point or degree; the acme.
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2. A prohibition against proceeding further; an insuperable obstacle or limiting condition. [Obs. or R.]
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Nepotal (?), a. Of or relating to a nephew.
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Nepotic (?), a. [See .] Of or pertaining to nepotism.
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The nepotic ambition of the ruling pontiff. Milman.
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Nepotism (?; 277), n. [L. nepus, nepotus, nephew: cf. F. népotisme. See .] Undue attachment to relations; favoritism shown to members of one's family; bestowal of patronage in consideration of relationship, rather than of merit or of legal claim.
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From nepotism Alexander V. was safe; for he was without kindred or relatives. But there was another perhaps more fatal nepotism, which turned the tide of popularity against him -- the nepotism of his order. Milman.
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Nepotist (?), n. One who practices nepotism.
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Neptune (?), prop. n. [L. Neptunus.] 1. (Rom. Myth.) The son of Saturn and Ops, the god of the waters, especially of the sea. He is represented as bearing a trident for a scepter.
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2. (Astron.) The remotest major planet of our solar system, discovered -- as a result of the computations of Leverrier, of Paris -- by Galle, of Berlin, September 23, 1846. It is classed as a gas giant, and has a radius of 22,716 km and an estimated mass of 1.027 x 1026 kg, with an average density of 2.27 g/cc. Its mean distance from the sun is about 5,000,000,000 km (3,106,856,000 miles), and its period of revolution is about 164.78 years.
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Coloq. Neptune powder , an explosive containing nitroglycerin, -- used in blasting. -- Coloq. Neptune's cup (Zoöl.), a very large, cup-shaped, marine sponge (Thalassema Neptuni).
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Neptunian (?), prop. a. [L. Neptunius belonging to Neptune: cf. F. neptunien.] 1. Of or pertaining to the ocean or sea.
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2. (Geol.) Formed by water or aqueous solution; as, Neptunian rocks.
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Coloq. Neptunian races (Ethnol.), the Malay and Polynesian races. -- Coloq. Neptunian theory (Geol.), the theory of Werner, which referred the formation of all rocks and strata to the agency of water; -- opposed to the Plutonic theory.
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{ Neptunian (?), Neptunist (?) }, prop. n. [Cf. F. neptinien, neptuniste.] (Geol.) One who adopts the Neptunian theory.
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Neptunicentric (?), a. [Neptune + centric.] (Astron.) As seen from Neptune, or having Neptune as a center; as, Neptunicentric longitude or force.
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Neptunium (?), n. [NL.] A radioactive metallic element of atomic number 93, produced in nuclear reactors from Plutonium or Uranium. Symbol Np; The atomic weight of the most stable isotope is 237.0482.
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Ner (?), adv. & a. Nearer. [Obs.] See .
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Nere (?). [Contr. fr. ne were.] Were not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Nereid (?), n.; pl. E. Nereids (#), L. Nereides (#). [L. Nereis, -idis, Gr. Nhrei:s Nhrhi:s, Nhrhi:dos, a daughter of Nereus, a nymph of the sea, fr. Nhreys Nereus, an ancient sea god; akin to nhros wet, Skr. nāra water, cf. Gr. naein to flow.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A sea nymph, one of the daughters of Nereus, who were attendants upon Neptune, and were represented as riding on sea horses, sometimes with the human form entire, and sometimes with the tail of a fish.
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2. (Zoöl.) Any species of Nereis. The word is sometimes used for similar annelids of other families.
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Nereidian (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any annelid resembling Nereis, or of the family Lycoridæ or allied families.
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Nereis (? or ?), prop. n.; pl. Nereides (#). [L.] 1. (Class. Myth.) A Nereid. See .
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2. (Zoöl.) A genus, including numerous species, of marine chætopod annelids, having a well-formed head, with two pairs of eyes, antennæ, four pairs of tentacles, and a protrusile pharynx, armed with a pair of hooked jaws.
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Nereites (?), n. pl. (Paleon.) Fossil tracks of annelids.
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Nereocystis (?), prop. n. [NL. See , and .] (Bot.) A genus of gigantic seaweeds.
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☞ Nereocystis Lutkeana, of the North Pacific, has a stem many fathoms long, terminating in a great vesicle, which is crowned with a tuft of long leaves. The stem is used by the Alaskans for fishing lines.
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Nerfling (?), n. (Zoöl.) The id.
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Nerita (?), prop. n. [L., a sort of sea mussel, Gr. nhriths, nhreiths.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine gastropods, mostly natives of warm climates.
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Nerite (? or ?; 277), n. (Zoöl.) Any mollusk of the genus Nerita.
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neritic adj. Relating to the belt or region of shallow water adjoining the seacost; as, neritic fauna.
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neritid n. An operculate seasnail of coastal waters with a short spiral shell.
Syn. -- neritid gastropod.
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Neritidae prop. n. A natural family comprising the neritids.
Syn. -- family Neritidae.
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Neritina (?), prop. n. (Zoöl.) A genus including numerous species of shells resembling Nerita in form. They mostly inhabit brackish water, and are often delicately tinted.
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Nerka (?), n. [Russ. niarka, prob. fr. native name.] (Zoöl.) The most important salmon of Alaska (Oncorhinchus nerka), ascending in spring most rivers and lakes from Alaska to Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; -- called also red salmon, redfish, blueback, and sawqui.
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Nero (nēr�), prop. n. A Roman emperor notorious for debauchery and barbarous cruelty; hence, any profligate and cruel ruler or merciless tyrant. -- Neronian (n�rōnĭ�n), a.
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Nero (originally Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, later Nero Claudius Cæsar Drusus Germanicus). Born at Antium, Italy, Dec. 15, 37 a. d.: committed suicide near Rome, June 9, 68. Roman emperor 54-68, son of Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina (daughter of Germanicus).

He was adopted by his stepfather, the emperor Claudius, in 50, and in 53 married Octavia, the daughter of Claudius by Messalina. In 54 Claudius was poisoned by Agrippina, who caused her son to be proclaimed to the exclusion of Britannicus, the son of Claudius. His former tutors, the philosopher Seneca and Burrus, commander of the pretorian guards, were placed at the head of the government, and the early years of his reign were marked, on the whole, by clemency and justice. He caused his rival Britannicus to be removed by poison in 55. In 59 he procured the assassination of his mother, of whose control he had become impatient. Burrus died in 62, whereupon Seneca retired from public life. Freed from the restraint of his former advisers, he gave free rein to a naturally tyrannical and cruel disposition. He divorced Octavia in order to marry Poppæa, and shortly afterward put Octavia to death (62). Poppæa ultimately died from the effects of a kick administered by her brutal husband. Having been accused of kindling the fire which in 64 destroyed a large part of Rome, he sought to divert attention from himself by ordering a persecution of the Christians, whom he accused of having caused the Conflagration. He put Seneca to death in 65, and 66-68 visited Greece, where he competed for the prizes as a musician and charioteer in the religious festivals. He was overthrown by a revolt under Galba, and stabbed himself to death with the assistance of his secretary.

But the imperial Reign of Terror was limited to a comparatively small number of families in Rome. The provinces ware undoubtedly better governed than in the later days of the Republic, and even in Rome itself the common people strewed flowers on the grave of Nero.
Hodgkin, Italy and her Invaders, I. 6.
[Century Dict. 1906]

Nero-antico (?), n. [It.; nero black + antico ancient.] (Art) A beautiful black marble found in fragments among Roman ruins, and usually thought to have come from ancient Laconia.
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Neroli (?), n. [F. néroli, said to be from the name of an Italian princess.] (Chem.) An essential oil obtained by distillation from the flowers of the orange. It has a strong odor, and is used in perfumery, etc.
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Coloq. Neroli camphor (Chem.), a white crystalline waxy substance, tasteless and odorless, obtained from neroli oil; -- called also auradin.
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Nerre (?), adv. & a. [See .] Nearer. [Obs.] [Written also neer, ner.] Chaucer.
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Coloq. Never the neer , never the nearer; no nearer. [Obs.]
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Nerthus prop. n. The Teutonic goddess of fertility; later identified with Norse Njord.
Syn. -- Hertha.
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Nervate (nẽrv�t), a. (Bot.) Nerved.
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Nervation (nẽrvāshŭn), n. The arrangement of nerves and veins, especially those of leaves; neuration.
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The outlines of the fronds of ferns, and their nervation, are frail characters if employed alone for the determination of existing genera. J. D. Hooker.
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nerve (nẽrv), n. [OE. nerfe, F. nerf, L. nervus, akin to Gr. ney^ron sinew, nerve; cf. neyra string, bowstring; perh. akin to E. needle. Cf. .] 1. (Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the animal body.
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☞ An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of nerve fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath (the perineurium) and all bound together in a connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium) containing blood vessels and lymphatics.
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2. A sinew or a tendon. Pope.
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3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control; constitutional vigor.
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he led me on to mightiest deeds,
Above the nerve of mortal arm. Milton.
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4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.
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5. Audacity; assurance. [Slang]
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6. (Bot.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf.
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7. (Zoöl.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of insects.
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Coloq. Nerve cell (Anat.), a neuron, one of the nucleated cells with which nerve fibers are connected; a ganglion cell is one type of nerve cell. -- Coloq. Nerve fiber (Anat.), one of the fibers of which nerves are made up. These fibers are either medullated or nonmedullated. In both kinds the essential part is the translucent threadlike axis cylinder which is continuous the whole length of the fiber. -- Coloq. Nerve stretching (Med.), the operation of stretching a nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus, which are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the nerve or its connections.
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Nerve (nẽrv), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nerved (nẽrvs); p. pr. & vb. n. Nerving.] To give strength or vigor to; to supply with force; as, fear nerved his arm.
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Nerved (nẽrvd), a. 1. Having nerves of a special character; as, weak-nerved.
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2. (Bot.) Having nerves, or simple and parallel ribs or veins. Gray.
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nerveless (nẽrvlĕs), a. 1. Destitute of nerves.
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2. Destitute of strength or of courage; wanting vigor; weak; powerless.
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A kingless people for a nerveless state. Byron.
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Awaking, all nerveless, from an ugly dream. Hawthorne.
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Nervelessness, n. The state of being nerveless.
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nerve-racking (nẽrv-răkĭng), adj. Extremely irritating to the nerves; stressful; trying; as, nerve-wracking noise. [Also spelled nerve-wracking.]
Syn. -- stressful, trying.
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Nerve-shaken (nẽrv-shāk'n), a. Affected by a tremor, or by a nervous disease; weakened; overcome by some violent influence or sensation; shocked.
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nerve-wracking (nẽrv-răkĭng), adj. Same as .
Syn. -- stressful, trying.
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Nervimotion (nẽrvĭmōshŭn), n. [Nerve + motion.] (Physiol.) The movement caused in the sensory organs by external agents and transmitted to the muscles by the nerves. Dunglison.
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Nervimotor (nẽrvĭmōtẽr), n. [Nerve + motor.] (Physiol.) Any agent capable of causing nervimotion. Dunglison.
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nervine (nẽrvĭn; 277) a. [L. nervinus made of sinews: cf.F. nervin. See .] (Med.) Having the quality of acting upon or affecting the nerves; quieting nervous excitement. -- n. A nervine agent.
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nervomuscular (nẽrv�mŭsk�lẽr), a. [Nerve + muscular.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to both nerves and muscles; of the nature of nerves and muscles; as, nervomuscular energy.
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nervose (nẽrvōs), a. [See .] (Bot.) Same as .
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nervosity (nẽrvŏsĭt�), n. [L. nervositas strength.] Nervousness. [R.]
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Nervous (nẽrvŭs), a. [L. nervosus sinewy, vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See .] 1. Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous. “Nervous arms.” Pope.
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2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited; as, a nervous writer.
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3. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves; as, nervous excitement; a nervous fever.
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4. Having the nerves weak, diseased, or easily excited; subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of the nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
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Poor, weak, nervous creatures. Cheyne.
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5. Sensitive; excitable; timid.
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6. Apprehensive; as, a child nervous about his mother's reaction to his bad report card.
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Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest against the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics, because it is nervous about the land. M. Arnold.
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Coloq. Nervous fever (Med.), a low form of fever characterized by great disturbance of the nervous system, as evinced by delirium, or stupor, disordered sensibility, etc. -- Coloq. Nervous system (Anat.), the specialized coördinating apparatus which endows animals with sensation and volition. In vertebrates it is often divided into three systems: the central, brain and spinal cord; the peripheral, cranial and spinal nerves; and the sympathetic. See , , Spinal cord, under , and Sympathetic system, under , and Illust. in Appendix. -- Coloq. Nervous temperament , a condition of body characterized by a general predominance of mental manifestations. Mayne.
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Nervously, adv. In a nervous manner.
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Nervousness, n. State or quality of being nervous.
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Nervure (nẽrv�r), n. [F. See .] 1. (Bot.) One of the nerves of leaves.
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2. (Zoöl.) One of the chitinous supports, or veins, in the wings of insects.
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nervus (nẽrvŭs), n. Any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body.
Syn. -- nerve.
[WordNet 1.5]

nervy (nẽrv�), a. [Compar. nervier (nẽrvĭẽr); superl. nerviest.] 1. Strong; sinewy. “His nervy knees.” Keats.
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2. Offensively bold or presumptuous; insolent; cheeky; pushy.
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3. Exhibiting courage or daring; bold; plucky.
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4. Nervous{6}; apprehensive; edgy{1}.
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Nescience (?), n. [L. nescientia, fr. nesciens, p. pr. of nescire not to know; ne not + scire to know.] Want of knowledge; ignorance; agnosticism.
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God fetched it about for me, in that absence and nescience of mine. Bp. Hall.
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Nese (?), n. Nose. [Obs.] Piers plowman.
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Nesh (?), a. [AS. hnesc, hnæsc, akin to Goth. hnasqus.] Soft; tender; delicate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
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Ness (?), n. [AS. næs, ns; akin to Icel. nes, Sw. näs, Dan. næs, and E. nose. √ 261. See .] A promontory; a cape; a headland. Hakluyt.
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☞ Ness is frequently used as a suffix in the names of places and promontories; as, Sheerness.
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-ness (�). [AS. -ness, -nyss, -nys; akin to OS. -nissi, nussi, D. -nis, OHG. -nissa, -nassī, -nussī, G. -nis, -niss, Goth. -inasus.] A suffix used to form abstract nouns expressive of quality or state; as, goodness, greatness.
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Nesslerize (?), v. t. [From Nessler, the chemist.] (Chem.) To treat or test, as a liquid, with a solution of mercuric iodide in potassium iodide and potassium hydroxide, which is called Nessler's solution or Nessler's test, and is used to detect the presence of ammonia.
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