Nicolaitan - Nightman

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Nicolaitan (nĭk�lāĭt�n), n. [So called from Nicolas of Antioch, mentioned in Acts vi. 5.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of certain corrupt persons in the early church at Ephesus, who are censured in Rev. ii. 6, 15.
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Nicotian (nĭkōsh�n), n. [F. nicotiane; -- so called from Nicot, who introduced it into France, a. d. 1560.] Tobacco. [R.] B. Jonson.
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Nicotian, a. Pertaining to, or derived from, tobacco. [R.] Bp. Hall.
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Nicotiana (?), prop. n. [NL. See .] (Bot.) A genus of American and Asiatic solanaceous herbs, with viscid foliage and funnel-shaped blossoms. Several species yield tobacco. See .
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Nicotianine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotianine. See .] (Chem.) A white waxy substance having a hot, bitter taste, extracted from tobacco leaves and called also tobacco camphor.
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Nicotic (?), a. (Chem.) Nicotinic.
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Nicotidine (? or ?), n. [Nicotine + pyridine.] (Chem.) A complex, oily, nitrogenous base, isomeric with nicotine, and obtained by the reduction of certain derivatives of the pyridine group.
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Nicotine (? or ?), n. [F. nicotine. See .] (Chem.) An alkaloid which is the active principle of tobacco (C10H14N2). It occurs in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rusticum) to the extent of 2 to 8%, in combination with malic acid or citric acid. It is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid, having an acrid odor, and an acrid burning taste. It is intensely poisonous. The apparently addictive effects of tobacco smoking have been ascribed largely to the effect of nicotine, and the controlled administration of nicotine on various forms has been used as a technique for assisting efforts to stop the smoking habit. Ure.
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Nicotinic (?), a. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, nicotine; nicotic; -- used specifically to designate an acid related to pyridine, obtained by the oxidation of nicotine, and called nicotinic acid.
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nicotinic acid (?), n. (Chem.) An organic acid (C6H5NO2), a carboxylated derivative of pyridine, obtained by the oxidation of nicotine; called also niacin and antipellagra vitamin, and vitamin B₅. Chemically it is 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid. It is a cofactor in several enzymatic reactions, and is used to prevent a pellagra-like disease in dogs. [MI11]
Syn. -- 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid, niacin, antipellagra vitamin. [ Webster +PJC]

Nicotinism (?), n. [Nicotine + -ism.] (Med.) The morbid condition produced by the excessive use of tobacco.
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Nictate (?), v. i. [L. nictare, nictatum, from nicere to beckon.] To wink; to nictitate.
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Nictation (?), n. [L. nictatio; cf. F. nictation.] The act of winking; nictitation.
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Nictitate (?), v. i. [See .] To wink; to nictate.
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Coloq. Nictitating membrane (Anat.), a thin membrane, found in many animals at the inner angle, or beneath the lower lid, of the eye, and capable of being drawn across the eyeball; the third eyelid; the haw.
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Nictitation (?), n. The act of winking.
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Nidamental (?), a. [L. nidamentum materials for a nest, fr. nidus nest. See .] (Zoöl.) Of, pertaining to, or bearing, eggs or egg capsules; as, the nidamental capsules of certain gastropods; nidamental glands. See Illust. of .
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Nidary (?), n. [L. nidus a nest.] A collection of nests. [R.] velyn.
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Nide (nīd), n. [L. nidus a nest: cf. F. nid.] A nestful; a brood; as, a nide of pheasants. [Obs.]
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Nidering (?), a. [See .] Infamous; dastardly. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
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Nidgery (?), n. [See .] A trifle; a piece of foolery. [Obs.] Skinner.
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Nidget (?), n. [Written also nigget, nigeot.] [Cf. F. nigaud a booby, fool, OF. niger to play the fool.] A fool; an idiot, a coward. [Obs.] Camden.
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Nidificate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidificated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidificating.] [L. nidificare, nidificatum; nidus nest + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See , and cf. .] To make a nest.
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Where are the fishes which nidificated in trees? Lowell.
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Nidification (?), n. [Cf. F. nidification.] The act or process of building a nest.
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Niding (nīdĭng), n. [Written also nithing.] [AS. nīðing, fr. nīð wickedness, malice, hatred.] A coward; a dastard; -- a term of utmost opprobrium. [Obs.]
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He is worthy to be called a niding. Howell.
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Nidor (nīdẽr), n. [L.] Scent or savor of meat or food, cooked or cooking. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
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Nidorose (?), a. Nidorous. [R.] Arbuthnot.
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Nidorous (?), a. [L. nidorosus steaming, reeking: cf. F. nidoreux. See .] Resembling the smell or taste of roast meat, or of corrupt animal matter. [R.]
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Nidulant (?), a. [L. nidulans, p. pr.: cf. F. .] 1. Nestling, as a bird in its nest.
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2. (Bot.) Lying loose in pulp or cotton within a berry or pericarp, as in a nest.
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Nidulate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Nidulated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nidulating.] [L. nidulari, fr. nidulus, dim. of nidus a nest.] To make a nest, as a bird. [R.] Cockeram.
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Nidulation (?), n. The time of remaining in the nest. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
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Nidulite (?), n. [L. nidulus a little nest.] (Paleon.) A Silurian fossil, formerly supposed to consist of eggs.
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Nidus (?), n.; pl. nidi (#). [L. See , .] A nest: a repository for the eggs of birds, insects, etc.; a breeding place; esp., the place or substance where parasites or the germs of a disease effect lodgment or are developed.
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Niece (nēs), n. [OE. nece, F. nièce, LL. neptia, for L. neptis a granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos. See .] 1. A relative, in general; especially, a descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a grandson. [Obs.] B. Jonson. Wyclif. Shak.
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2. Especially: A daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law. In modern English, this is the primary meaning.
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Nief (?), n. See , the fist.
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Niellist (?), n. One who practices the style of ornamentation called niello.
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Niello (?), n. [It. niello, LL. nigellum a black of blackish enamel, fr. L. nigellus, dim. of niger black. See , and cf. .] 1. A metallic alloy of a deep black color.
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2. The art, process, or method of decorating metal with incised designs filled with the black alloy.
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3. A piece of metal, or any other object, so decorated.
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4. An impression on paper taken from an ancient incised decoration or metal plate.
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5. An impression on paper taken from the engraved or incised surface before the niello alloy has been inlaid.
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Niepce's process (?). (Photog.) A process, now no longer used, invented by J. N. Niepce, a French chemist, in 1829. It depends upon the action of light in rendering a thin layer of bitumen, with which the plate is coated, insoluble. [Obsolescent]
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niff n. An unpleasant smell. [British slang]
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niffy adj. Malodorous, unpleasant-smelling. Opposite of fragrant. [British informal]
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nifty adj. 1. Very good; excellent; -- an informal term meaning about the same as , sense 1. [informal, 1960's]
Syn. -- bang-up, bully, cool, corking, cracking, dandy, great, groovy, keen, neat, not bad(predicate), peachy, slap-up, swell, smashing.
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2. Stylish; attractive; -- of clothing; as, a nifty outfit.
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Nifle (nĭf'l), n. [OF.] A trifle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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nigella n. any plant of the genus Nigella.
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Nigerian prop. n. A native or inhabitant of Nigeria.
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Nigerian prop. adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the country Nigeria; as, The Nigerian capital used to be Lagos.
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2. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the inhabitants of Nigeria; as, A Nigerian novelist won the Noble Prize for literature this year.
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Nigerien prop. adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the inhabitants of Niger.
Syn. -- Nigerian.
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Nigerien prop. n. A native or inhabitant of Niger.
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Niggard (nĭggẽrd), n. [Icel. hnöggr niggardly, stingy + -ard; cf. Sw. njugg, AS. hneáw.] A person meanly stingy and covetous; one who spends grudgingly; a stingy, parsimonious fellow; a miser. Chaucer.
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A penurious niggard of his wealth. Milton.
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Be niggards of advice on no pretense. Pope.
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Niggard, a. Like a niggard; meanly covetous or parsimonious; niggardly; miserly; stingy.
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Niggard, v. t. & i. To act the niggard toward; to be niggardly. [R.] Shak.
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Niggardise (nĭggẽrdīz), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Niggardish, a. Somewhat niggard.
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Niggardliness (nĭggẽrdlĭnĕs), n. The quality or state of being niggard; meanness in giving or spending; parsimony; stinginess.
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Niggardliness is not good husbandry. Addison.
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Niggardly (nĭggẽrdl�), a. Meanly covetous or avaricious in dealing with others; stingy; niggard.
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Where the owner of the house will be bountiful, it is not for the steward to be niggardly. Bp. Hall.
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Syn. -- Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; sparing; miserly; penurious; sordid; stingy. See .
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Niggardly, adv. In a niggard manner.
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Niggardness, n. Niggardliness. Sir P. Sidney.
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Niggardous (?), a. Niggardly. [Obs.]
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Covetous gathering and niggardous keeping. Sir T. More.
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Niggardship, n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Sir T. Elyot.
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Niggardy (?), n. Niggardliness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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nigged (nĭgd), n. [Prov. E. nig to clip money.] (Masonry) Hammer-dressed; -- said of building stone.
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nigger (?), n. A negro; -- in vulgar derision or depreciation. It is usually intended and interpreted as highly insulting and vulgar. [Low, deprecatory, and vulgar]
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Niggerhead (?), n. A strong black chewing tobacco, usually in twisted plug form; negro head. [archaic]
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Niggish (?), a. [See .] Niggardly. [Obs.]
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Niggle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Niggled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Niggling (?).] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf. also Prov. E. nig a small piece.] To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
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Niggle, v. i. 1. To trifle or play.
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Take heed, daughter,
You niggle not with your conscience and religion. Massinger.
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2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.]
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3. To fret and snarl about trifles. [Prov. Eng.]
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4. (Chiefly Eng.) 1. To move about restlessly or without result; to fidget.
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5. To be finicky or excessively critical; to potter; esp., to work with excessive care for trifling details, as in painting.
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Niggle (?), v. t. 1. To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
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2. To elaborate excessively, as in art.
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Niggler (?), n. One who niggles.
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Niggling (?), a. 1. petty, trivial, or inconsequential.
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2. Excessively demanding of time or attention; as, niggling little details.
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niggling (?), n. Finicky or pottering work; specif. (Fine Arts), Minute and very careful workmanship in drawing, painting, or the like, esp. when bestowed on unimportant detail.
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Nigh (nī), a. [Compar. Nigher (nīẽr); superl. Nighest, or Next (nĕkst).] [OE. nigh, neigh, neih, AS. neáh, nēh; akin to D. na, adv., OS. nāh, a., OHG. nāh, G. nah, a., nach to, after, Icel. nā (in comp.) nigh, Goth. nēhw, nēhwa, adv., nigh. Cf. , , .] 1. Not distant or remote in place or time; near.
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The loud tumult shows the battle nigh. Prior.
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2. Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. “Nigh kinsmen.” Knolles.
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Ye . . . are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. ii. 13.
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Syn. -- Near; close; adjacent; contiguous; present; neighboring.
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Nigh, adv. [AS. neáh, nēh. See , a.] 1. In a situation near in place or time, or in the course of events; near.
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He was sick, nigh unto death. Phil. ii. 27.
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He drew not nigh unheard; the angel bright,
Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turned. Milton.
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2. Almost; nearly; as, he was nigh dead.
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Nigh, v. t. & i. To draw nigh (to); to approach; to come near. [Obs.] Wyclif (Matt. iii. 2).
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Nigh, prep. Near to; not remote or distant from. “was not this nigh shore?” Shak.
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Nighly, adv. In a near relation in place, time, degree, etc.; within a little; almost. [Obs.]
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A cube and a sphere . . . nighly of the same bigness. Locke.
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Nighness, n. The quality or state of being nigh. [R.] “Nighness of blood.” Holished.
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Night (nīt), n. [OE. night, niht, AS. neaht, niht; akin to D. nacht, OS. & OHG. naht, G. nacht, Icel. nōtt, Sw. natt, Dan. nat, Goth. nahts, Lith. naktis, Russ. noche, W. nos, Ir. nochd, L. nox, noctis, Gr. nyx, nyktos, Skr. nakta, nakti. √265. Cf. , .] 1. That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; esp., the time between dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight, starlight, or artificial light.
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And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. Gen. i. 5.
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2. Hence: (a) Darkness; obscurity; concealment.
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Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night. Pope.
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(b) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. (c) A state of affliction; adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. (d) The period after the close of life; death.
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She closed her eyes in everlasting night. Dryden.
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Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Dylan Thomas.
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(e) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when nature seems to sleep. “Sad winter's night”. Spenser.
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☞ Night is sometimes used, esp. with participles, in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, night-blooming, night-born, night-warbling, etc.
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Coloq. Night by night , Coloq. Night after night , nightly; many nights.
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So help me God, as I have watched the night,
Ay, night by night, in studying good for England. Shak.
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-- Coloq. Night bird . (Zoöl.) (a) The moor hen (Gallinula chloropus). (b) The Manx shearwater (Puffinus Anglorum). -- Coloq. Night blindness . (Med.) See . -- Coloq. Night cart , a cart used to remove the contents of privies by night. -- Coloq. Night churr , (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Coloq. Night crow , a bird that cries in the night. -- Coloq. Night dog , a dog that hunts in the night, -- used by poachers. -- Coloq. Night fire . (a) Fire burning in the night. (b) Ignis fatuus; Will-o'-the-wisp; Jask-with-a-lantern. -- Coloq. Night flyer (Zoöl.), any creature that flies in the night, as some birds and insects. -- Coloq. night glass , a spyglass constructed to concentrate a large amount of light, so as see objects distinctly at night. Totten. -- Coloq. Night green , iodine green. -- Coloq. Night hag , a witch supposed to wander in the night. -- Coloq. Night hawk (Zoöl.), an American bird (Chordeiles Virginianus), allied to the goatsucker. It hunts the insects on which it feeds toward evening, on the wing, and often, diving down perpendicularly, produces a loud whirring sound, like that of a spinning wheel. Also sometimes applied to the European goatsuckers. It is called also bull bat. -- Coloq. Night heron (Zoöl.), any one of several species of herons of the genus Nycticorax, found in various parts of the world. The best known species is Nycticorax griseus, or Nycticorax nycticorax, of Europe, and the American variety (var. nævius). The yellow-crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea syn. Nycticorax violaceus) inhabits the Southern States. Called also qua-bird, and squawk. -- Coloq. Night house , a public house, or inn, which is open at night. -- Coloq. Night key , a key for unfastening a night latch. -- Coloq. Night latch , a kind of latch for a door, which is operated from the outside by a key. -- Coloq. Night monkey (Zoöl.), an owl monkey. -- Coloq. night moth (Zoöl.), any one of the noctuids. -- Coloq. Night parrot (Zoöl.), the kakapo. -- Coloq. Night piece , a painting representing some night scene, as a moonlight effect, or the like. -- Coloq. Night rail , a loose robe, or garment, worn either as a nightgown, or over the dress at night, or in sickness. [Obs.] -- Coloq. Night raven (Zoöl.), a bird of ill omen that cries in the night; esp., the bittern. -- Coloq. Night rule . (a) A tumult, or frolic, in the night; -- as if a corruption, of night revel. [Obs.] (b) Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails, at night.

What night rule now about this haunted grove? Shak.

-- Coloq. Night sight . (Med.) See . -- Coloq. Night snap , a night thief. [Cant] Beau. & Fl. -- Coloq. Night soil , human excrement; -- so called because in cities it is collected by night and carried away for manure. -- Coloq. Night spell , a charm against accidents at night. -- Coloq. Night swallow (Zoöl.), the nightjar. -- Coloq. Night walk , a walk in the evening or night. -- Coloq. Night walker . (a) One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist; a noctambulist. (b) One who roves about in the night for evil purposes; specifically, a prostitute who walks the streets. -- Coloq. Night walking . (a) Walking in one's sleep; sleep walking; somnambulism; noctambulism. (b) Walking the streets at night with evil designs. -- Coloq. Night warbler (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis); -- called also night singer. [Prov. Eng.] -- Coloq. Night watch . (a) A period in the night, as distinguished by the change of watch. (b) A watch, or guard, to aford protection in the night. -- Coloq. Night watcher , one who watches in the night; especially, one who watches with evil designs. -- Coloq. Night witch . Same as , above.
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Night Before Christmas (?), n. The popular name for a poem by Clement Clarke Moore titled A Visit from St. Nicholas, a popular poem with the theme of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) coming to bring gifts to children on Christmans eve.
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☞ The full text of the poem follows: T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer!, Now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!, On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!!”
As the dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas, too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went staight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
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nightbird n. A person who likes to be active late at night; a night owl.
Syn. -- night owl, nighthawk.
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Night-blooming (?), a. Blooming in the night.
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Coloq. Night-blooming cereus . (Bot.) See Note under .
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Nightcap (?), n. 1. A cap worn in bed to protect the head, or in undress.
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2. An alcoholic beverage drunk at bedtime. [Cant] Wright.
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nightclothes n. garments designed to be worn in bed, such as pyjamas, a nightgown, etc.
Syn. -- nightwear.
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nightclub n. An establishment providing entertainment (as singers, dancers, or comedy acts), usually open late into the night or early morning, typically serving alcoholic beverages and food.
Syn. -- cabaret.
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nightcrawler n. A terrestrial worm that burrows into and helps aerate soil; an earthworm. It often surfaces when the ground is cool or wet, and is used as bait by anglers. The term is used mostly in the northern and western U. S.
Syn. -- earthworm, angleworm, fishworm, fishing worm, wiggler, nightwalker, dew worm, red worm.
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Nightdress (?), n. A nightgown.
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Nighted, a. 1. Darkness; clouded. [R.] Shak.
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2. Overtaken by night; belated. Beau. & Fl.
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Nightertale (?), n. [Cf. Icel. nāttarpel.] Period of night; nighttime. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Night-eyed (?), a. Capable of seeing at night; sharp-eyed. “Your night-eyed Tiberius.” B. Jonson.
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Nightfall (?), n. The close of the day; the arrival of the night; the period at and just after dusk. Swift.
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Night-faring (?), a. Going or traveling in the night. Gay.
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Nightgown (?), n. A loose gown used for undress; also, a gown used for a sleeping garment.
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nighthawk n. 1. A person who likes to be active late at night; a night owl.
Syn. -- night owl, nightbird.
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2. (Zoöl.) Any of several mainly nocturnal North American goatsuckers, especially Chordeiles minor, or the related European goatsucker Caprimulgus europaeus, also called the nightjar.
Syn. -- bullbat, mosquito hawk.
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nightie n. 1. Any loose-fitting clothing for wear in bed.
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2. Especially: a loose dress designed to be worn in bed by women; a nightgown.
Syn. -- nightgown, night-robe, nightdress.
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Nightingale (?), n. [OE. nihtegale,nightingale, AS. nihtegale; niht night + galan to sing, akin to E. yell; cf. D. nachtegaal, OS. nahtigala, OHG. nahtigala, G. nachtigall, Sw. näktergal, Dan. nattergal. See , and .] 1. (Zoöl.) A small, plain, brown and gray European song bird (Luscinia megarhynchos syn. Luscinia luscinia). It sings at night, and is celebrated for the sweetness of its song.
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2. (Zoöl.) A larger species (Lucinia philomela), of Eastern Europe, having similar habits; the thrush nightingale. The name is also applied to other allied species.
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Coloq. Mock nightingale . (Zoöl.) See , n., 1 (a).
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Nightish, a. Of or pertaining to night.
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Nightjar (?), n. A goatsucker, esp. the European species. See Illust. of .
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Nightless, a. Having no night.
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{ Night letter, Night lettergram }. See , above.
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night-line n. A fishing line with baited hooks left in the water to catch fish over night.
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Nightlong (?; 115), a. Lasting all night.
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Nightly, a. Of or pertaining to the night, or to every night; happening or done by night, or every night; as, nightly shades; he kept nightly vigils.
[ Webster]

Nightly, adv. At night; every night.
[ Webster]

Nightman (nītmăn), n.; pl. Nightmen (nītmĕn). One whose business is emptying privies by night.
[ Webster]

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