- nucleic acid n. Any of a group of complex compounds found in all living cells
and viruses, composed of purines, pyrimidines, carbohydrates, and phosphoric
acid. Nucleic acids in the form of DNA and RNA control cellular function and
heredity.
- nudge1 tr.v. 1. To push against gently, especially in order to gain attention
or give a signal. 2. To come close to; near: "The temperature was nudging 105
degrees in the shade." n. A gentle push.
- nudge2 or nudzh or noodge Slang n. One who persistently pesters, annoys, or
complains. v. -tr. To annoy persistently; pester. -intr. To complain or carp
persistently.
- nudnik n. Slang An obtuse, boring, or bothersome person; a pest.
- nugatory adj. 1. Of little or no importance; trifling. 2. Having no force;
invalid.
- nuisance n. 2. Law A use of property or course of conduct that interferes with
the legal rights of others by causing damage, annoyance, or inconvenience.
- nuisance tax n. A small excise tax levied on separate purchases and collected
directly from the purchaser.
- nuke tr.v. 2. To heat in a microwave oven.
- nullipara n. A woman who has never given birth.
- number n. 7. numbers a. A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people
visited the fair. b. Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North
numbers. 14. Slang A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or
performance: suspects doing their usual number--protesting innocence. 15.
Slang A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic: a crafty
number. -tr. v. 6. To limit or restrict in number: Their days are numbered.
- by the numbers 1. In unison as numbers are called out by a leader: performing
calisthenics by the numbers. 2. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way.
- do a number on Slang To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and
thorough way.
- get (or have) (someone's ) number To determine or know someone's real
character or motives.
- without (or beyond) number Too many to be counted; countless: mosquitoes
without number.
- number one n. 2. Slang One's own interest; oneself: watching out for number
one.
- numen. 1. A presiding divinity or spirit of a place. 2. A spirit believed by
animists to inhabit certain natural phenomena or objects. 3. Creative energy;
genius.
- numerate tr.v. To enumerate; count. adj. Able to think and express oneself
effectively in quantitative terms. - numeracy n.
- numerology n. The study of the occult meanings of numbers and their supposed
influence on human life.
- numero uno n. Slang 1. One that is first in rank, order, or importance. 2.
One's own interests; oneself.
- numismatic adj. 1. Of or relating to coins or currency. 2. Of or relating to
numismatics.
- nuoc mam n. A pungent, salty liquid made from fermented anchovies or other
fish, used as a seasoning and condiment in Southest Asian cuisine. Also called
fish sauce.
- nuptial adj. 1. Of or relating to marriage or the wedding ceremony. 2. Of,
relating to, or occurring during the mating season: the nuptial plumage of
male birds. n. A wedding ceremony.
- nurse tr.v. 7. To consume slowly, especially in order to conserve: nursed one
drink all evening.
- nursling n. 1. A nursing infant or young animal. 2. A carefully nurtured
person or thing.
- nut n. 2. Slang a. A crazy or eccentric person. b. An enthusiast; a buff: a
movie nut. 3. Informal A difficult endeavor or problem: Painting the closet
was a tough nut to crack. 6. A small block of metal or wood with a central,
threaded hole that is designed to fit around and secure a bolt or screw. 7.
Slang a. The cost of launching a business venture. b. The operating expenses
of a theater, theatrical production, or similar enterprise. 8. Vulgar slang A
testicle.
- nut case n. Slag A person regarded as eccentric or crazy.
- nuts Slang adj. 1. Crazy; insane. 2. Extremely enthusiastic: I'm nuts about opera.
interj. Used to express contempt, disappointment, or refusal.
- nutty adj. 3. Slang Crazy; idiotic: a nutty idea.
- nyctophobia n. An abnormal fear of the night or darkness. AC scotophobia.
- nympholepsy n. 1. A frenzy supposed by ancient peoples to have been induced by
nymphs. 2. An emotional frenzy. -nympholept n.
- O1 interj. 1. Used before the name of or a pronoun referring to a person or
thing being formally addressed: "How can I put it to you, O you who prepare to
travel with important matters on your mind?" 2. Used to express surprise or
strong emotion: "O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches"
HDT.
- -o suff. Used to form an informal, abbreviated, or slang word or variant: ammo.
- -o- Used as a connective to join word elements: acidophilic.
- o' prep. Informal Of: lots o' luck; top o' the morning.
- oaf n. A person regarded as stupid or clumsy.
