Nipplewort - No

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Nipplewort (nĭpp'lwûrt), n. (Bot.) A yellow-flowered composite herb (Lampsana communis), formerly used as an external application to the nipples of women; -- called also dock-cress.
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Nipponese n. [From Japanese nippon, Japan.] a native or inhabitant of Japan.
Syn. -- Japanese.
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Nipponese adj. Of or relating to or characteristic of Japan or its people or their culture or language; Japanese.
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nippy adj. Pleasantly cold and invigorating; -- of weather conditions.
Syn. -- crisp, frosty, nipping, snappy.
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Ni-resist n. Cast iron consisting of graphite in a matrix of austenite.
Syn. -- Ni-resist iron.
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Nirvana (?), n. [Skr. nirvāṇa.] In the Buddhist system of religion, the final emancipation of the soul from transmigration, and consequently a beatific enfrachisement from the evils of worldly existence, as by annihilation or absorption into the divine. See .
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Nis (?). [From ne is.] Is not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Nisan (?), n. [Heb. nīsān.] The first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, formerly answering nearly to the month of April, now to March, of the Christian calendar. See .
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Nisey (?), n.; pl. Nyseys. A simpleton. [Obs.]
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Nisi (?), conj. [L.] Unless; if not; -- used mostly in law.
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☞ In legal proceedings, this word is used to indicate that any order, etc., shall take effect at a given time, unless before that time the order, etc., in modified, or something else is done to prevent its taking effect. Continuance nisi is a conditional continuance of the case till the next term of the court, unless otherwise disposed of in the mean time.
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Coloq. Nisi prius (Law), unless before; -- a phrase applied to terms of court, held generally by a single judge, with a jury, for the trial of civil causes. The term originated in a legal fiction. An issue of fact being made up, it is, according to the English practice, appointed by the entry on the record, or written proceedings, to be tried by a jury from the county of which the proceedings are dated, at Westminster, unless before the day appointed (nisi prius) the judges shall have come to the county in question (which they always do) and there try the cause. See In banc, under .
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Niste (?). [Contr. from ne wiste.] Wist not; knew not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Nisus (?), n. [L., fr. niti, p. p. nisus, to strive.] 1. A striving; an effort; a conatus.
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A nisus or energizing towards a presented object. Hickok.
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2. (Physiol.) (a) The periodic procreative desire manifested in the spring by birds, etc. (b) The contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to evacuate feces or urine.
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Nit (nĭt), n. [AS. hnitu; akin to D. neet, G. niss, OHG. niz; cf. Gr. konis, konidos, Icel. gnit, Sw. gnet, Dan. gnid, Russ. & Pol. gnida, Bohem. hnida, W. nedd.] (Zoöl.) The egg of a louse or other small insect.
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Coloq. Nit grass (Bot.), a pretty annual European grass (Gastridium lendigerum), with small spikelets somewhat resembling a nit. It is also found in California and Chile.
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Nitency (?), n. [L. nitens, p. pr. of nitere to shine.] Brightness; luster. [R.]
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Nitency, n. [From L. nitens, p. pr. of niti to strive.] Endeavor; effort; tendency. [R.] Boyle.
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{ Niter, Nitre } (?), n. [F. nitre, L. nitrum native soda, natron, Gr. �; cf. Ar. nitūn, natrūn natron. Cf. .] 1. (Chem.) A white crystalline semitransparent salt; potassium nitrate; saltpeter. See .
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2. (Chem.) Native sodium carbonate; natron. [Obs.]
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For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me. Jer. ii. 22.
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Coloq. Cubic niter , a deliquescent salt, sodium nitrate, found as a native incrustation, like niter, in Peru and Chile, whence it is known also as Chile saltpeter. -- Coloq. Niter bush (Bot.), a genus (Nitraria) of thorny shrubs bearing edible berries, and growing in the saline plains of Asia and Northern Africa.
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Nithing (?), n. [Obs.] See .
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Nitid (?), a. [L. nitidus, fr. nitere. See 3d .] 1. Bright; lustrous; shining. [R.] Boyle.
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2. Gay; spruce; fine; -- said of persons. [R.] T. Reeve.
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Nitranilic (?), a. [Nitro- + chloranil + -ic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex organic acid produced as a white crystalline substance by the action of nitrous acid on hydroquinone.
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Nitraniline (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + aniline.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of aniline; nitroaniline. In general they are yellow crystalline substances.
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Nitrate (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrate.] (Chem.) A salt of nitric acid.
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Coloq. Nitrate of silver , a white crystalline salt (AgNO3), used in photography and as a cauterizing agent; -- called also lunar caustic, and more commonly called silver nitrate.
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Nitrated (?), a. 1. (Chem.) Combined, or impregnated, with nitric acid, or some of its compounds.
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2. (Photog.) Prepared with silver nitrate.
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Nitratine (?), n. (Min.) A mineral occurring in transparent crystals, usually of a white, sometimes of a reddish gray, or lemon-yellow, color; native sodium nitrate. It is used in making nitric acid and for manure. Called also soda niter.
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Nitre (?), n. (Chem.) See .
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Nitriary (?), n. [See .] An artificial bed of animal matter for the manufacture of niter by nitrification. See , 2.
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Nitric (?), a. [Cf. F. nitrique. See .] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrogen; specifically, designating any one of those compounds in which, as contrasted with nitrous compounds, the element has a higher valence; as, nitric oxide; nitric acid.
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Coloq. Nitric acid , a colorless or yellowish liquid obtained by distilling a nitrate with sulphuric acid. It is powerfully corrosive, being a strong acid, and in decomposition a strong oxidizer. -- Coloq. Nitric anhydride , a white crystalline oxide of nitrogen (N2O5), called nitric pentoxide, and regarded as the anhydride of nitric acid. -- Coloq. Nitric oxide , a colorless poisous gas (NO) obtained by treating nitric acid with copper. On contact with the air or with oxygen, it becomes reddish brown from the formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2, also called nitric dioxide or nitric peroxide).
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Nitride (? or ?), n. [from .] (Chem.) A binary compound of nitrogen with a more metallic element or radical; as, boric nitride.
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Nitriferous (?), a. [Niter + -ferous.] Bearing niter; yielding, or containing, niter.
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Nitrification (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrification. see .] 1. (Chem.) (a) The act, process, or result of combining with nitrogen or some of its compounds. (b) The act or process of oxidizing nitrogen or its compounds so as to form nitrous or nitric acid.
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2. A process of oxidation, in which nitrogenous vegetable and animal matter in the presence of air, moisture, and some basic substances, as lime or alkali carbonate, is converted into nitrates.
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☞ The process is going on at all times in porous soils and in water contaminated with nitrogenous matter, and is supposed to be due to the presence of a bacteria, such as members of the genus Azotobacter, formerly called nitrification ferments. In former times the process was extensively made use of in the production of saltpeter.
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Nitrifier (?), n. (Chem.) An agent employed in nitrification.
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Nitrify (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrifying (?).] [Niter + -fy: cf. F. nitrifer. See .] (Chem.) To combine or impregnate with nitrogen; to convert, by oxidation, into nitrous or nitric acid; to subject to, or produce by, nitrification.
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Nitrile (? or ?), n. [See .] (Chem.) Any one of a series of compounds bearing the cyanide radical (-CN); particularly, one of those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with acids or alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the nitrogen as ammonia.
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☞ The nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced by their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic nitrile, methyl cyanide is acetonitrile (also acetic nitrile), and ethyl cyanide is propionitrile (from propionic acid).
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Nitrite (?), n. [Cf. F. nitrite. See .] (Chem.) A salt or ester of nitrous acid; a compound bearing the -NO2 radical.
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Coloq. Amyl nitrite , a yellow oily volatile liquid, used in medicine as a depressant and a vaso-dilator. Its inhalation produces an instantaneous flushing of the face.
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nitro (�) n. [By shortening of nitroglycerin.] Nitroglycerin.
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nitro- (�) pref. 1. A combining form or an adjective denoting the presence of niter.
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2. (Chem.) A combining form (used also adjectively) designating certain compounds of nitrogen or of its acids; as nitrohydrochloric, nitrocalcite; also, designating the group or radical NO2, or its compounds, as nitrobenzene (C6H5.NO2).
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Coloq. Nitro group , the radical NO2; -- called also nitroxyl.
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Nitrobacter prop. n. A genus of rod-shaped soil bacteria.
Syn. -- genus Nitrobacter.
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nitrobacteria n. Soil bacteria that convert nitrites to nitrates.
Syn. -- nitric bacteria.
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Nitrobacteriaceae prop. n. A natural family of usually rod-shaped bacteria that oxidize ammonia or nitrites: nitrobacteria.
Syn. -- family Nitrobacteriaceae.
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Nitrobenzene (? or ?), n. [Nitro- + benzene.] (Chem.) A yellow aromatic liquid (C6H5.NO2), produced by the action of nitric acid on benzene, and called from its odor imitation oil of bitter almonds, or essence of mirbane. It is used in perfumery, and is manufactured in large quantities in the preparation of aniline. Fornerly called also nitrobenzol.
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{ Nitrobenzol, Nitrobenzole, (� or �) }, n. See .
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Nitrocalcite (?), n. [Nitro- + calcite.] (Min.) Nitrate of calcium, a substance having a grayish white color, occuring in efflorescences on old walls, and in limestone caves, especially where there exists decaying animal matter.
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Nitrocarbol (?), n. [Nitro- + carbon + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.) See .
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Nitrocellulose (?), n. [Nitro- + cellulose.] (Chem.) See Gun cotton, under .
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Nitro-chloroform (?), n. [Nitro- + chloroform.] (Chem.) Same as .
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Nitroform (?), n. [Nitro- + formyl.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane, analogous to chloroform, obtained as a colorless oily or crystalline substance, CH.(NO2)3, quite explosive, and having well-defined acid properties.
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Nitrogelatin (?), n. [Nitro- + gelatin.] An explosive consisting of gun cotton and camphor dissolved in nitroglycerin. [Written also nitrogelatine.]
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Nitrogen (nītr�jĕn), n. [L. nitrum natron + -gen: cf. F. nitrogène. See .] (Chem.) A colorless nonmetallic element of atomic number 7, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume in the form of molecular nitrogen (N2). It is chemically very inert in the free state, and as such is incapable of supporting life (hence the name azote still used by French chemists); but it forms many important compounds, such as ammonia, nitric acid, the cyanides, etc, and is a constituent of all organized living tissues, animal or vegetable. Symbol N. Atomic weight 14.007. It was formerly regarded as a permanent noncondensible gas, but was liquefied in 1877 by Cailletet of Paris, and Pictet of Geneva, and boils at -195.8 ° C at atmospheric pressure. Liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to store delicate materials, such as bacteria, cells, and other biological materials.
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Nitrogenize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nitrogenized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nitrogenizing.] (Chem.) To combine, or impregnate, with nitrogen or its compounds.
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Nitrogenous (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, nitrogen; as, a nitrogenous principle; nitrogenous compounds.
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Coloq. Nitrogenous foods . See 2d Note under , n., 1.
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Nitroglycerin, Nitroglycerine (nītr�glĭsẽrĭn), n. [Nitro- + glycerin.] (Chem.) A liquid appearing like a heavy oil, colorless or yellowish, and consisting of a mixture of several glycerin salts of nitric acid, and hence more properly called glycerin nitrate; also called trinitroglycerin and glyceryl trinitrate. It is made by the action of nitric acid on glycerin in the presence of sulphuric acid. It is extremely unstable and terribly explosive. A very dilute solution is used in medicine as a neurotic under the name of glonion. [Written also nitroglycerine.]
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☞ A great number of explosive compounds have been produced by mixing nitroglycerin with different substances; as, dynamite, or giant powder, nitroglycerin mixed with siliceous earth; lithofracteur, nitroglycerin with gunpowder, or with sawdust and nitrate of sodium or barium; Colonia powder, gunpowder with nitroglycerin; dualin, nitroglycerin with sawdust, or with sawdust and nitrate of potassium and some other substances; lignose, wood fiber and nitroglycerin.
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Nitrohydrochloric (?), a. [Nitro- + hydrochloric.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitric and hydrochloric acids.
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Coloq. Nitrohydrochloric acid , a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, usually in the proportion of one part of the former to three of the latter, and remarkable for its solvent action on gold and platinum; -- called also aqua regia, and nitromuriatic acid.
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Nitrol (?), n. (Chem.) Any one of a series of hydrocarbons containing the nitro and the nitroso or isonitroso group united to the same carbon atom.
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Nitroleum (?), n. [NL., fr. L. nitrum natron + oleum oil.] (Chem.) Nitroglycerin.
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Nitrolic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, derived from, or designating, a nitrol; as, a nitrolic acid.
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Nitromagnesite (?), n. [Nitro- + magnesite.] (Chem.) Nitrate of magnesium, a saline efflorescence closely resembling nitrate of calcium.
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Nitrometer (?), n. [Nitro- + -meter: cf. F. nitromètre.] (Chem.) An apparatus for determining the amount of nitrogen or some of its compounds in any substance subjected to analysis; an azotometer.
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Nitromethane (?), n. [Nitro- + methane.] (Chem.) A nitro derivative of methane (CH3.NO2), obtained as a mobile liquid; -- called also nitrocarbol. It has been used as a rocket fuel and as a gasoline additive to add power to the fuel, especially in racing cars.
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Nitromuriatic (?), a. [Cf. F. nitromuriatique. See , and .] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or composed of, nitric acid and muriatic acid; nitrohydrochloric. See .
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Nitrophnol (?), n. [Nitro- + phenol.] (Chem.) Any one of a series of nitro derivatives of phenol. They are yellow oily or crystalline substances and have well-defined acid properties, as picric acid.
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Nitroprussic (? or �), a. [Nitro- + prussic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, a complex acid called nitroprussic acid, obtained indirectly by the action of nitric acid on potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate), as a red crystalline unstable substance. It forms salts called nitroprussides, which give a rich purple color with alkaline sulphides.
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Nitroprusside (?), n. See .
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Nitroquinol (?), n. [Nitro- + quine + -ol.] (Chem.) A hypothetical nitro derivative of quinol or hydroquinone, not known in the free state, but forming a well defined series of derivatives.
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Nitrosaccharin (?), n. [Nitro- + saccharin.] (Chem.) An explosive nitro derivative of certain sugars, analogous to nitroglycerin, gun cotton, etc.
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Nitrosalicylic (?), a. [Nitro- + salicylic.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a nitro derivative of salicylic acid, called also anilic acid.
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Nitrose (?), a. (Chem.) See .
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Nitroso- (� or �). (Chem.) A prefix (also used adjectively) designating the group or radical -NO, called the nitroso group, or its compounds.
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Nitrosyl (?), n. [Nitroso- + -yl.] (Chem.) The radical -NO, called also the nitroso group. The term is sometimes loosely used to designate certain nitro compounds; as, nitrosyl sulphuric acid. Used also adjectively.
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Nitrosylic (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, nitrosyl; as, nitrosylic acid.
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Nitrous (?), a. [L. nitrosus full of natron: cf. F. nitreux. See .] 1. Of, pertaining to, or containing, niter; of the quality of niter, or resembling it.
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2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of those compounds in which nitrogen has a relatively lower valence as contrasted with nitric compounds.
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Coloq. Nitrous acid (Chem.), a hypothetical acid of nitrogen HNO2, not known in the free state, but forming a well known series of salts, viz., the nitrites. -- Coloq. Nitrous oxide . See .
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Nitroxyl (?), n. [Nitro- + oxygen + -yl.] (Chem.) The group -NO2, usually called the nitro group.
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Nitrum (?), n. [L., natron. See .] (Old Chem.) Niter.
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Coloq. Nitrum flammans [L., flaming niter] (Old Chem.), ammonium nitrate; -- probably so called because it deflagerates when suddenly heated.
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Nitry (?), a. (Chem.) Nitrous. [Obs.]
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Nitryl (?), n. [Nitro- + -yl.] (Chem.) A name sometimes given to the nitro group or radical.
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Nitter (?), n. [From .] (Zoöl.) The horse louse; an insect that deposits nits on horses.
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Nittily (?), adv. Lousily. [Obs.] Hayward.
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Nittings (?), n. pl. [Prob. from .] (Mining) The refuse of good ore. Raymond.
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Nitty (?), a. Full of nits. B. Jonson.
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Nitty, a. [L. nitidus. See .] Shining; elegant; spruce. [Obs.] “O sweet, nitty youth.” Marston.
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Nival (?), a. [L. nivalis, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Abounding with snow; snowy. [Obs.] Johnson.
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Niveous (?), a. [L. niveus, fr. nix, nivis, snow.] Snowy; resembling snow; partaking of the qualities of snow. Sir T. Browne.
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Nivose (?), n. [F., fr. L. nix. nivis, snow.] The fourth month of the French republican calendar [1792-1806]. It commenced December 21, and ended January 19. See .
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Nix (?), n.; fem. (�). [G. Cf. 1st .] (Teut. Myth.) One of a class of water spirits, commonly described as of a mischievous disposition.
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The treacherous nixes who entice men to a watery death. Tylor.
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Nixie (?), n. 1. See .
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2. Nothing. [Slang]
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3. (U. S. Mail Service) A piece of mail matter which cannot be delivered, either because no post office exists at the place to which is it addressed, or because there is no place of the name mentioned in the designated State, Territory, or the like. [Cant]
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Nixie clerk. A post-office clerk in charge of the nixies.
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Nizam (?), n. [Hind. & Ar. nizām order, a ruler, fr. Ar. nazama arrange, govern.] The title of the native sovereigns of Hyderabad, in India, since 1719.
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Nizam (?), n.; pl. Nizam. [Turk. nizām.] A regular soldier of the Turkish army. See , above.
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Njord, Njorth n. (Teutonic mythology) Chief of the Vanir; god of the sea and winds and prosperity; father of Frey and Freya; sometimes subsumes Teutonic Nerthus.
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NNE n. (All capitals) north northeast; the compass point that is midway between north and northeast.
Syn. -- north northeast, nor'-nor'-east.
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NNW n. (All capitals) north northwest; the compass point that is midway between north and northwest.
Syn. -- north northwest, nor'-nor'-west.
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No (nō), a. [OE. no, non, the same word as E. none; cf. E. a, an. See .] Not any; not one; none; as, yes, we have no bananas; -- often used as a quantifier.
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Let there be no strife . . . between me and thee. Gen. xiii. 8.
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That goodness is no name, and happiness no dream. Byron.
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☞ In Old England before a vowel the form non or noon was used. “No man.” “Noon apothercary.” Chaucer.
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