Chapter 1045

Nu`ance" (?) , n. [F.] A shade of difference; a delicate gradation.

Nub <Xpage=985>

Nub (?) , v. t. [Cf. Knob .] To push; to nudge; also, to beckon. [Prov. Eng.]

Nub <Xpage=985>

Nub , n. A jag, or snag; a knob; a protuberance; also, the point or gist, as of a story. [Colloq.]

Nubbin <Xpage=985>

Nub"bin (?) , n. A small or imperfect ear of maize. [Colloq. U. S.]

Nubble <Xpage=985>

Nub"ble (?) , v. t. [Cf. LG. nubben to knock, cuff.] To beat or bruise with the fist. [Obs.]

Ainsworth.

Nubecula <Xpage=985>

Nu*bec"u*la (?) , n. ; pl. Nubecul\'91 (-l&emac;) . [L., dim. of nubes cloud.] 1. (Astron.) (a) A nebula. (b) pl. Specifically, the Magellanic clouds.

2. (Med.) (a) A slight spot on the cornea. (b) A cloudy object or appearance in urine.

Dunglison.

Nubia <Xpage=985>

Nu"bi*a (?) , n. [From L. nubes cloud.] A light fabric of wool, worn on the head by women; a cloud.

Nubian <Xpage=985>

Nu"bi*an (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Nubia in Eastern Africa. -- n. A native of Nubia.

Nubiferous <Xpage=985>

Nu*bif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. nubifer ; nubes cloud + ferre to bear: cf. F. nubif\'8are .] Bringing, or producing, clouds.

Nubigenous <Xpage=985>

Nu*big"e*nous (?) , a. [L. nubes cloud + -genous .] Born of, or produced from, clouds. [R.]

Nubilate <Xpage=985>

Nu"bi*late (?) , v. t. [L. nubilatus , p. p. of nubilare to cloud, fr. nubes cloud.] To cloud. [Obs.]

Nubile <Xpage=985>

Nu"bile (?) , a. [L. nubilis , fr. nubere to marry: cf. F. nubile . See Nuptial .] Of an age suitable for marriage; marriageable.

Prior.

<-- 2. [of a young woman] Sexually attractive, sometimes used as a genteel euphemism for "having well-developed breasts". -->

Nubility <Xpage=985>

Nu*bil"i*ty (?) , n. [Cf. F. nubilit\'82 .] The state of being marriageable. [R.]

Nubilose, Nubilous <Xpage=985>

Nu"bi*lose` (?) , Nu"bi*lous (?) , a. [L. nubilosus , nubilus , fr. nubes cloud.] Cloudy. [R.]

Nucament <Xpage=985>

Nu"ca*ment (?) , n. [L. nucamenta fir cones, fr. nux , nucis , a nut.] (Bot.) A catkin or ament; the flower cluster of the hazel, pine, willow, and the like.

Nucamentaceous <Xpage=985>

Nu`ca*men*ta"ceous (?) , a. [See Nucament .] (Bot.) Like a nut either in structure or in being indehiscent; bearing one-seeded nutlike fruits. [Written also nucumentaceous .]

Nucellus <Xpage=985>

Nu*cel"lus (?) , n. ; pl. Nucelli (#) . [NL., dim. of nux , nucis , a nut.] (Bot.) See Nucleus , 3 (a) .

Nucha <Xpage=985>

Nu"cha (?) , n. ; pl. Nuch<?/ (#) . [LL.] (Zo\'94l.) The back or upper part of the neck; the nape.

Nuchal <Xpage=985>

Nu"chal (?) , a. [Cf. F. nucal .] (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the back, or nape, of the neck; -- applied especially to the anterior median plate in the carapace of turtles.

Nuciferous <Xpage=985>

Nu*cif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. nux , nucis , nut + -ferous .] Bearing, or producing, nuts.

Nuciform <Xpage=985>

Nu"ci*form (?) , a. [L. nux , nucis , nut + -form .] (Bot.) Shaped like a nut; nut-shaped.

Nucin <Xpage=985>

Nu"cin (?) , n. [L. nux , nucis , a nut.] (Chem.) See Juglone .

Nucleal, Nuclear <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*al (?) , Nu"cle*ar (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a nucleus; as, the nuclear spindle (see Illust . of Karyokinesis ) or the nuclear fibrils of a cell; the nuclear part of a comet, etc.

Nucleate <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*ate (?) , a. [L. nucleatus having a kernel.] Having a nucleus; nucleated.

Nucleate <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*ate (?) , v. t. [Cf. L. nucleare to become kernelly.] To gather, as about a nucleus or center.

Nucleated <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*a`ted (?) , a. Having a nucleus; nucleate; as, nucleated cells .

Nucleiform <Xpage=985>

Nu*cle"i*form (?) , a. [L. nucleus kernel + -form .] Formed like a nucleus or kernel.

Nuclein <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*in (?) , n. (Physiol. Chem.) A constituent of the nuclei of all cells. It is a colorless amorphous substance, readily soluble in alkaline fluids and especially characterized by its comparatively large content of phosphorus. It also contains nitrogen and sulphur.\'3c--containing protein and nucleic acid--\'3e

Nucleobranch <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*o*branch (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Belonging to the Nucleobranchiata. -- n. One of the Nucleobranchiata.

Nucleobranchiata <Xpage=985>

Nu`cle*o*bran`chi*a"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Nucleus , and Branchia ] (Zo\'94l.) See Heteropoda .

Nucleoidioplasma <Xpage=985>

Nu`cle*o*id`i*o*plas"ma (?) , n. [NL. See Nucleus , and Idioplasma .] (Biol.) Hyaline plasma contained in the nucleus of vegetable cells.

Nucleolar <Xpage=985>

Nu*cle"o*lar (?) , a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to the nucleolus of a cell.

Nucleolated <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*o*la`ted (?) , a. Having a nucleole, or second inner nucleus.

Nucleole <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*ole (?) , n. [See Nucleolus .] The nucleus within a nucleus; nucleolus.

Nucleolus <Xpage=985>

Nu*cle"o*lus (?) , n. ; pl. Nucleoli (#) . [L., a little nut, dim. of nucleus .]

1. A little nucleus.

2. (Biol.) A small rounded body contained in the nucleus of a cell or a protozoan.

&hand; It was termed by Agassiz the entoblast . In the protozoa, where it may be situated on one side of the nucleus, it is sometimes called the endoplastule , and is supposed to be concerned in the male part of the reproductive process. See Nucleus .

Nucleoplasm <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*o*plasm (?) , n. [ Nucleus + -plasm .] (Biol.) The matter composing the nucleus of a cell; the protoplasm of the nucleus; karyoplasma.

Nucleoplasmic <Xpage=985>

Nu`cle*o*plas"mic (?) , a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to nucleoplasm; -- esp. applied to a body formed in the developing ovum from the plasma of the nucleus of the germinal vesicle.

Nucleus <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle*us (?) , n. ; pl. E. Nucleuses (#) , L. Nuclei (#) . [L., a kernel, dim. fr. nux , nucis , nut. Cf. Newel post.]

1. A kernel; hence, a central mass or point about which matter is gathered, or to which accretion is made; the central or material portion; -- used both literally and figuratively.

It must contain within itself a nucleus of truth. I. Taylor.

2. (Astron.) The body or the head of a comet.

3. (Bot.) (a) An incipient ovule of soft cellular tissue. (b) A whole seed, as contained within the seed coats.

4. (Biol.) A body, usually spheroidal, in a cell or a protozoan, distinguished from the surrounding protoplasm by a difference in refrangibility and in behavior towards chemical reagents. It is more or less protoplasmic, and consists of a clear fluid (achromatin) through which extends a network of fibers (chromatin) in which may be suspended a second rounded body, the nucleolus (see Nucleoplasm ). See Cell division , under Division . <-- it contains the genetic material, DNA -->

&hand; The nucleus is sometimes termed the endoplast or endoblast , and in the protozoa is supposed to be concerned in the female part of the reproductive process. See Karyokinesis .

5. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The tip, or earliest part, of a univalve or bivalve shell. (b) The central part around which additional growths are added, as of an operculum. (c) A visceral mass, containing the stomach and other organs, in Tunicata and some mollusks.

Nucula <Xpage=985>

Nu"cu*la (?) , n. [L., little nut, dim. of nux , nucis , a nut.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of small marine bivalve shells, having a pearly interior.

Nucle <Xpage=985>

Nu"cle (?) , n. [L. nucula a small nut.] (Bot.) Same as Nutlet .

Nucumentaceous <Xpage=985>

Nu`cu*men*ta"ceous (?) , a. (Bot.) See Nucamentaceous .

Nudation <Xpage=985>

Nu*da"tion (?) , n. [L. nudatio , fr. nudare to make naked, fr. nudus naked. See Nude .] The act of stripping, or making bare or naked.

Nuddle <Xpage=985>

Nud"dle (?) , v. i. To walk quickly with the head bent forward; -- often with along . [Prov. Eng.]

Nude <Xpage=985>

Nude (?) , a. [L. nudus . See Naked .]

1. Bare; naked; unclothed; undraped; as, a nude statue .

2. (Law) Naked; without consideration; void; as, a nude contract . See Nudum pactum .

Blackstone.

The nude , the undraped human figure in art.

-- Nude"ly , adv. - Nude"ness , n.

Nudge <Xpage=985>

Nudge (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Nudge<?/ (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Nudging .] [Cf. Prov. G. kn\'81tschen to squeeze, pinch, E. Knock .] To touch gently, as with the elbow, in order to call attention or convey intimation.

Nudge <Xpage=985>

Nudge (?) , n. A gentle push, or jog, as with the elbow.

Nudibrachiate <Xpage=985>

Nu`di*brach"i*ate (?) , a. [L. nudus naked + brachium an arm.] (Zo\'94l.) Having tentacles without vibratile cilia.

Carpenter.

Nudibranch <Xpage=985>

Nu"di*branch (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to the Nudibranchiata. -- n. One of the Nudibranchiata.

Nudibranchiata <Xpage=985>

Nu`di*bran`chi*a"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Nude , and Branchia .] (Zo\'94l.) A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks, having no shell except while very young. The gills are naked and situated upon the back or sides. See Ceratobranchia .

Nudibranchiate <Xpage=985>

Nu`di*bran"chi*ate (?) , a. & n. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Nudibranch .

Nudicaul <Xpage=985>

Nu"di*caul (?) , a. [L. nudus naked + caulis stem.] (Bot.) Having the stems leafless.

Nudification <Xpage=985>

Nu`di*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. nudus naked + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy .] The act of making nude.

Nudity <Xpage=985>

Nu"di*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Nudities (#) . [Cf. F. nudit\'82 .]

1. The quality or state of being nude; nakedness.

2. That which is nude or naked; naked part; undraped or unclothed portion; esp. (Fine Arts) , the human figure represented unclothed; any representation of nakedness; -- chiefly used in the plural and in a bad sense.

There are no such licenses permitted in poetry any more than in painting, to design and color obscene nudities . Dryden.

Nudum pactum <Xpage=985>

Nu"dum pac"tum (?) . [L., a nude pact.] (Law) A bare, naked contract, without any consideration.

Tomlins. <-- = naked promise? -->

Nugacity <Xpage=985>

Nu*gac"i*ty (?) , n. [L. nugacitas , fr. nugax , -acis , trifling.] Futility; trifling talk or behavior; drollery. [R.]

Dr. H. More.

Nug\'91 <Xpage=985>

Nu"g\'91 (?) , n. pl. [L.] Trifles; jests.

Nugation <Xpage=985>

Nu*ga"tion (?) , n. [Cf. OF. nugation .] The act or practice of trifling. [R.]

Bacon.

Nugatory <Xpage=985>

Nu"ga*to*ry (?) , a. [L. nugatorius , fr. nugari to trifle, nugae jests, trifles.]

1. Trifling; vain; futile; insignificant.

2. Of no force; inoperative; ineffectual.

If all are pardoned, and pardoned as a mere act of clemency, the very substance of government is made nugatory . I. Taylor.

Nugget <Xpage=985>

Nug"get (?) , n. [Earlier niggot , prob. for nigot , an ingot . See Ingot .] A lump; a mass, esp. a native lump of a precious metal; as, a nugget of gold .

Nugify <Xpage=985>

Nu"gi*fy (?) , v. t. [L. nuggae trifles + -fy .] To render trifling or futile; to make silly. [R.]

Coleridge.

Nuisance <Xpage=985>

Nui"sance (?) , n. [OE. noisance , OF. noisance , nuisance , fr. L. nocentia guilt, fr. nocere to hurt, harm; akin to necare to kill. Cf Necromancy , Nocent , Noxious , Pernicious .] That which annoys or gives trouble and vexation; that which is offensive or noxious.

&hand; Nuisances are public when they annoy citizens in general; private , when they affect individuals only.

Nuisancer <Xpage=985>

Nui"san*cer (?) , n. (Law) One who makes or causes a nuisance.

Nul <Xpage=985>

Nul (?) , a. [F. See Null , a. ] (Law) No; not any; as, nul disseizin; nul tort.

Null <Xpage=985>

Null (?) , a. [L. nullus not any, none; ne not + ullus any, a dim. of unus one; cf. F. nul . See No , and One , and cf. None .] Of no legal or binding force or validity; of no efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless.

Faultily faultless, icily regular, splendidly null , Dead perfection; no more. Tennyson.

Null <Xpage=985>

Null , n. 1. Something that has no force or meaning.

2. That which has no value; a cipher; zero.

Bacon.

Null method (Physics.) , a zero method. See under Zero .

Null <Xpage=985>

Null , v. t. [From null , a., or perh. abbrev. from annul .] To annul. [Obs.]

Milton.

Null <Xpage=985>

Null , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] One of the beads in nulled work.

Nulled <Xpage=985>

Nulled (?) , a. Turned so as to resemble nulls.

Nulled work (Cabinetwork) , ornamental turned work resembling nulls or beads strung on a rod.

Nullibiety <Xpage=985>

Nul`li*bi"e*ty (?) , n. [L. nullibi nowhere.] The state or condition of being nowhere. [Obs.]

Nullification <Xpage=985>

Nul`li*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. nullificatio contempt. See Nullify .] The act of nullifying; a rendering void and of no effect, or of no legal effect.

Right of nullification (U. S. Hist.) , the right claimed in behalf of a State to nullify or make void, by its sovereign act or decree, an enactment of the general government which it deems unconstitutional.

Nullifidian <Xpage=985>

Nul`li*fid"i*an (?) , a. [L. nullus none + fide<?/ faith.] Of no faith; also, not trusting to faith for salvation; -- opposed to solifidian .

Feltham.

Nullifidian <Xpage=985>

Nul`li*fid"i*an , n. An unbeliever.

B. Jonson.

Nullifier <Xpage=985>

Nul"li*fi`er (?) , n. One who nullifies or makes void; one who maintains the right to nullify a contract by one of the parties.

Nullify <Xpage=985>

Nul"li*fy (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Nullified (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Nullifying (?) .] [L. nullificare ; nullus none + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Null , a. , and -fy .] To make void; to render invalid; to deprive of legal force or efficacy.

Such correspondence would at once nullify the conditions of the probationary system. I. Taylor.

Syn. -- To abrogate; revoke; annul; repeal; invalidate; cancel. See Abolish .

Nullipore <Xpage=985>

Nul"li*pore (?) , n. [L. nullus none + porus pope.] (Bot.) A name for certain crustaceous marine alg\'91 which secrete carbonate of lime on their surface, and were formerly thought to be of animal nature. They are now considered corallines of the genera Melobesia and Lithothamnion .

<page="986"> Page 986

Nullity <Xpage=986>

Nul"li*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Nullities . [LL. nullitias , fr. L. nullus none: cf. F. nullit\'82 . See Null .]

1. The quality or state of being null; nothingness; want of efficacy or force.

2. (Law) Nonexistence; as, a decree of nullity of marriage is a decree that no legal marriage exists .

3. That which is null.

Was it not absurd to say that the convention was supreme in the state, and yet a nullity ? Macaulay.

Numb <Xpage=986>

Numb (?) , a. [OE. nume , nome , prop., seized, taken, p. p. of nimen to take, AS. niman , p. p. numen . \'fb7. See Nimble , Nomad , and cf. Benumb .]

1. Enfeebled in, or destitute of, the power of sensation and motion; rendered torpid; benumbed; insensible; as, the fingers or limbs are numb with cold . "A stony image, cold and numb ."

Shak.

2. Producing numbness; benumbing; as, the numb , cold night . [Obs.]

Shak.

Numb <Xpage=986>

Numb , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Numbed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Numbing (?) .] To make numb; to deprive of the power of sensation or motion; to render senseless or inert; to deaden; to benumb; to stupefy.

For lazy winter numbs the laboring hand. Dryden.

Like dull narcotics, numbing pain. Tennyson.

Numbedness <Xpage=986>

Numb"ed*ness (?) , n. Numbness. [Obs.]

Wiseman.

Number <Xpage=986>