NEB-NEB, neb'-neb, _n._ the dried pods of a species of acacia found in Africa, which are much used in Egypt for tanning--called also _Bablah_.
NEBRIS, neb'ris, _n._ a fawn-skin worn in imitation of Bacchus by his priests and votaries.
NEBULA, neb'[=u]-la, _n._ a little cloud: a faint, misty appearance in the heavens produced either by a group of stars too distant to be seen singly, or by diffused gaseous matter:--_pl._ NEB'ULae.--_adjs._ NEB'ULAR, pertaining to nebulae: like nebulae; NEBULe (neb-[=u]-l[=a]'), curved in and out (_her._); NEB'ULOSE, NEB'ULOUS, misty, hazy, vague: relating to, or having the appearance of, a nebula.--_ns._ NEBULOS'ITY, NEB'ULOUSNESS.--NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS, the theory of Laplace and Sir W.
Herschel that nebulae form the earliest stage in the formation of stars and planets. [L.; Gr. _nephel[=e]_, cloud, mist.]
NECESSARY, nes'es-sar-i, _adj._ that must be: that cannot be otherwise: unavoidable: indispensable: under compulsion: not free.--_n._ that which cannot be left out or done without (food, &c.)--used chiefly in _pl._: a privy.--_ns._ NECESS[=A]'RIAN, one who holds the doctrine of necessity; NECESS[=A]'RIANISM, the doctrine that the will is not free, but subject to causes without, which determine its action.--_adv._ NEC'ESSARILY.--_n._ NEC'ESSARINESS, the state or quality of being necessary.--NECESSARY TRUTHS, such as cannot but be true. [Fr.,--L. _necessarius_.]
NECESSITY, ne-ses'i-ti, _n._ state or quality of being necessary: that which is necessary or unavoidable: compulsion: great need: poverty.--_ns._ NECESSIT[=A]'RIAN; NECESSIT[=A]'RIANISM, necessarianism.--_v.t._ NECESS'IT[=A]TE, to make necessary: to render unavoidable: to compel.--_n._ NECESSIT[=A]'TION.--_adjs._ NECESS'ITIED (_Shak._), in a state of want; NECESS'ITOUS, in necessity: very poor: destitute.--_adv._ NECESS'ITOUSLY.--_n._ NECESS'ITOUSNESS.--NATURAL NECESSITY, the condition of being necessary according to the laws of nature; LOGICAL or MATHEMATICAL, according to those of human intelligence; MORAL, according to those of moral law; WORKS OF NECESSITY, work so necessary as to be allowable on the Sabbath. [L. _necessitas_.]
NECK, nek, _n._ the part of an animal's body between the head and trunk: anything that resembles the neck: a long narrow part or corner: (_fig._) life: the flesh of the neck and adjoining parts.--_v.t._ to break the neck or cut off the head.--_ns._ NECK'ATEE, a neckerchief; NECK'-BAND, the part of a shirt encircling the neck; NECK'-BEAR'ING, that part of a shaft which rotates in the bearing proper, a journal; NECK'BEEF, the coarse flesh of the neck of cattle; NECK'CLOTH, a piece of folded cloth worn round the neck by men as a band or cravat, the ends hanging down often of lace.--_adj._ NECKED, having a neck of a certain kind.--_ns._ NECK'ERCHIEF, a kerchief for the neck; NECK'LACE, a lace or string of beads or precious stones worn on the neck by women; NECK'LET, a simple form of necklace; NECK'-MOULD, a small moulding surrounding a column at the junction of the shaft and capital; NECK'-PIECE, the part of a suit of armour that protects the neck: an ornamental frill round the neck of a gown; NECK'TIE, a tie or cloth for the neck; NECK'VERSE, the verse (usually Ps. li. 1) in early times placed before a prisoner claiming _benefit-of-clergy_, in order to test his ability to read, which, if he could do, he was burned in the hand and set free (see BENEFIT).--_n._ STIFF'NECK (see STIFF).--NECK AND CROP, completely; NECK AND NECK, exactly equal: side by side; NECK OR NOTHING, risking everything.--HARDEN THE NECK, to grow more obstinate; TREAD ON THE NECK OF, to oppress or tyrannise over. [A.S. _hnecca_; Ger. _nacken_.]
NECROLATRY, nek-rol'a-tri, _n._ worship of the dead.--_ns._ NECROBI[=O]'SIS, degeneration of living tissue; NECROG'RAPHER, one who writes an obituary notice.--_adjs._ NECROLOG'IC, -AL, pertaining to necrology.--_ns._ NECROL'OGIST, one who gives an account of deaths; NECROL'OGY, an account of those who have died, esp. of the members of some society: a register of deaths; NEC'ROMANCER, one who practises necromancy: a sorcerer; NEC'ROMANCY, the art of revealing future events by calling up and questioning the spirits of the dead: enchantment.--_adjs._ NECROMAN'TIC, -AL, pertaining to necromancy: performed by necromancy.--_adv._ NECROMAN'TICALLY.--_adj._ NECROPH'AGOUS, feeding on carrion.--_ns._ NECROPH'ILISM, a morbid love for the dead; NECROPH[=O]'BIA, a morbid horror of corpses.--_adj._ NECROPH'OROUS, carrying away and burying dead bodies, esp. of beetles of the genus _Necrophorus_.--_n._ NECROP'OLIS, a cemetery.--_adjs._ NECROSCOP'IC, -AL.--_n._ NEC'ROSCOPY, a post-mortem examination, autopsy--also NEC'ROPSY.--_adjs._ NECROSED', NECR[=O]'TIC.--_ns._ NECR[=O]'SIS, the mortification of bone: (_bot._) a disease of plants marked by small black spots; NECROT'OMIST; NECROT'OMY, dissection of dead bodies. [Gr. _nekros_, dead.]
NECTAR, nek'tar, _n._ the name given by Homer, Hesiod, Pindar, &c. to the beverage of the gods, giving life and beauty: a delicious beverage: the honey of the glands of plants.--_adjs._ NECT[=A]'REAL, NECT[=A]'REAN, pertaining to, or resembling, nectar: delicious; NEC'TARED, imbued with nectar: mingled or abounding with nectar; NECT[=A]'REOUS, NEC'TAROUS, pertaining to, containing, or resembling nectar: delicious.--_adv._ NECT[=A]'REOUSLY, in a nectareous manner.--_n._ NECT[=A]'REOUSNESS, the quality of being nectareous.--_adjs._ NECT[=A]'RIAL; NECTARIF'EROUS, producing nectar or honey: having a nectary; NEC'TARINE, sweet as nectar.--_n._ a variety of peach with a smooth fruit.--_n._ NEC'TARY, the part of a flower which secretes the nectar or honey. [L.,--Gr. _nektar_; ety. dub.]
NECTOCALYX, nek'to-k[=a]-liks, _n._ the swimming-bell of a medusa:--_pl._ NECTOC[=A]'LYCES.
NEDDY, ned'i, _n._ a donkey. [From _Ned_=Edward.]
NeE, n[=a], _adj._ born: placed before a married woman's maiden-name, to show her own family, as Rebecca Crawley, _nee_ Sharp. [Fr., fem. of _ne_, pa.p. of _naitre_, to be born--L. _nasci_, _natus_, to be born.]
NEED, n[=e]d, _n._ want of something which one cannot do without: necessity: a state that requires relief: want of the means of living.--_v.t._ to have occasion for: to want.--_ns._ NEED'-BE, a necessity; NEED'ER; NEED'FIRE, fire produced by friction, to which a certain virtue is superstitiously attached: a beacon generally.--_adj._ NEED'FUL, full of need: having need: needy: necessary: requisite.--_adv._ NEED'FULLY.--_n._ NEED'FULNESS.--_adv._ NEED'ILY.--_n._ NEED'INESS.--_adj._ NEED'LESS (_Shak._), having no need: not needed: unnecessary.--_adv._ NEED'LESSLY.--_n._ NEED'LESSNESS.--_adv._ NEED'LY (_Shak._), necessarily.--_n._ NEED'MENT, something needed.--_adv._ NEEDS, of necessity: indispensably--often used with _must_, as 'needs must.'--_adj._ NEED'Y, very poor: requisite.--_n._ NEED'YHOOD.--THE NEEDFUL (_slang_), ready money. [A.S. _ned_, _nied_, _nd_; Dut. _nood_, Ger. _noth_.]
NEEDLE, n[=e]d'l, _n._ a small, sharp-pointed steel instrument, with an eye for a thread--(_Shak._) NEELD, NEELE: any slender, pointed instrument like a needle, as the magnet or movable bar of a compass, or for knitting, etching, &c.: anything sharp and pointed, like a pinnacle of rock, &c.: an aciform crystal: a temporary support used by builders to sustain while repairing, being a strong beam resting on props: the long, narrow, needle-like leaf of a pine-tree.--_v.t._ to form into a shape like a needle, as crystals: to work with a needle.--_v.i._ to become of the shape of needles, as crystals.--_ns._ NEED'LE-BOOK, a number of pieces of cloth, leather, &c. arranged like a book, for holding needles; NEED'LE-CASE, a case for holding needles; NEED'LE-FISH, a pipe-fish: a garfish or belonid; NEED'LEFUL, as much thread as fills a needle; NEED'LE-GUN, a gun or rifle loaded at the breech, the cartridge of which is exploded by the impact of a needle or spike at its base.--_adjs._ NEED'LE-POINT'ED, pointed like a needle: without a barb, as a fish-hook; NEED'LE-SHAPED, shaped like a needle: applied to the long, slender, sharp-pointed leaves of pines, firs, and other trees.--_ns._ NEED'LE-TEL'EGRAPH, a telegraph the receiver of which gives its messages by the deflections of a magnetic needle; NEED'LEWOMAN, a woman who makes her living by her needle, a seamstress; NEED'LEWORK, work done with a needle: the business of a seamstress.--_adj._ NEED'LY, thorny. [A.S. _n['ae]dl_; Ger. _nadel_; cog. with Ger. _nahen_, to sew, L. _n[=e]re_, to spin.]
NEEP, a Scotch form of _turnip_.
NE'ER, n[=a]r, _adv._ contr. of _never_.--_adj._ and _n._ NE'ER'-DO-WELL, past all well-doing: one who is good for nothing.
NEESE, n[=e]z, _v.i._ an old form of _sneeze_.--_n._ NEES'ING, sneezing.
NEF, nef, _n._ a cadenas.
NEFANDOUS, n[=e]-fan'dus, _adj._ bad to execration, abominable. [L.,--_ne_, not, _fandus_, _f[=a]ri_, to speak.]
NEFARIOUS, n[=e]-f[=a]'ri-us, _adj._ impious: extremely wicked: villainous.--_adv._ NEF[=A]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ NEF[=A]'RIOUSNESS.--_adj._ N[=E]FAST', abominable. [L. _nefarius_, contrary to divine law--_ne_, not, _fas_, divine law, prob. from _f[=a]ri_, to speak.]
NEGATION, ne-g[=a]'shun, _n._ act of saying no: denial: (_logic_) the absence of certain qualities in anything. [Fr.,--L.
_negation-em-_--_neg[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to say no--_nec_, not, _aio_, I say yes.]
NEGATIVE, neg'a-tiv, _adj._ that denies or refuses--opp. to _Affirmative_: implying absence: that stops, hinders, neutralises--opp. to _Positive_: in photography, exhibiting the reverse, as dark for light, light for dark: (_logic_) denying the connection between a subject and a predicate: (_algebra_) noting a quantity to be subtracted.--_n._ a word or statement by which something is denied: the right or act of saying 'no,' or of refusing assent: the side of a question or the decision which denies what is affirmed: in photography, an image on glass or other medium, in which the lights and shades are the opposite of those in nature, used for printing positive impressions from on paper, &c.: (_gram._) a word that denies.--_v.t._ to prove the contrary: to reject by vote.--_adv._ NEG'ATIVELY.--_ns._ NEG'ATIVENESS, NEG'ATIVISM, NEGATIV'ITY.--_adj._ NEG'ATORY, expressing denial.--NEGATIVE BATH, a silver solution in which photographic negatives are placed to be sensitised; NEGATIVE ELECTRICITY, electricity with a relatively low potential, electricity such as is developed by rubbing resinous bodies with flannel, opposite to that obtained by rubbing glass; NEGATIVE QUANTITY (_math._), a quantity with a _minus_ sign ( - ) before it, indicating that it is either to be subtracted, or reckoned in an opposite direction from some other with a _plus_ sign; NEGATIVE SIGN, the sign ( - or _minus_) of subtraction. [L.
_negativus_--_neg[=a]re_, to deny.]
NEG[=A]TUR, _v._ it is denied. [L., 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. pass. of _neg[=a]re_, to deny.]
NEGLECT, neg-lekt', _v.t._ to treat carelessly, pass by without notice: to omit by carelessness.--_n._ disregard: slight: omission.--_adj._ NEGLECT'ABLE, that may be neglected.--_ns._ NEGLECT'EDNESS; NEGLECT'ER.--_adj._ NEGLECT'FUL, careless: accustomed to omit or neglect things: slighting.--_adv._ NEGLECT'FULLY.--_n._ NEGLECT'FULNESS.--_adj._ NEGLECT'IBLE.--_adv._ NEGLECT'INGLY, carelessly: heedlessly. [L.
_neglig[)e]re_, _neglectum_--_nec_, not, _leg[)e]re_, to gather.]
NEGLIGeE, neg-li-zh[=a]', _n._ easy undress: a plain, loose gown: a necklace, usually of red coral.--_adj._ carelessly or unceremoniously dressed: careless. [Fr., fem. of _neglige_--_negliger_, to neglect.]
NEGLIGENCE, neg'li-jens, _n._ fact or quality of being negligent: want of proper care: habitual neglect: a single act of carelessness or neglect, a slight: carelessness about dress, manner, &c.: omission of duty, esp. such care for the interests of others as the law may require--(_Shak._) NEGLEC'TION.--_adj._ NEG'LIGENT, neglecting: careless: inattentive: disregarding ceremony or fashion.--_adv._ NEG'LIGENTLY.--_adj._ NEG'LIGIBLE.--_adv._ NEG'LIGIBLY. [Fr.,--L. _negligentia_--_negligens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _neglig[)e]re_, to neglect.]
NEGOTIABLE, ne-g[=o]'shi-a-bl, _adj._ that may be transacted: that can be transferred to another with the same rights as belonged to the original holder, as a bill of exchange.--_n._ NEGOTIABIL'ITY.
NEGOTIATE, ne-g[=o]'shi-[=a]t, _v.i._ to carry on business: to bargain: to hold intercourse for the purpose of mutual arrangement.--_v.t._ to arrange for by agreement: to manage: to transfer to another with all the rights of the original holder: to pass, as a bill: to sell.--_ns._ NEGOTI[=A]'TION, act of negotiating: the treating with another on business; NEG[=O]'TIATOR; NEG[=O]'TIATRIX.--_adj._ NEGOTI[=A]'TORY, of or pertaining to negotiation.
[L. _negoti[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_--_negotium_, business--_nec_, not, _otium_, leisure.]
NEGRITO, ne-gr[=e]'to, _n._ the Spanish name for certain tribes of negro-like diminutive people in the interior of some of the Philippine Islands--also _Aetas_ or _Itas_: in a wider sense, the Papuans and all the Melanesian peoples of Polynesia.
NEGRO, n[=e]'gr[=o], _n._ one of the black-skinned woolly-haired race in the Soudan and central parts of Africa, also their descendants in America.--_adj._ of or pertaining to the race of black men:--_fem._ N[=E]'GRESS.--_ns._ N[=E]'GRO-CORN, the name given in the West Indies to the plant durra or Indian millet; N[=E]'GROHEAD, tobacco soaked in molasses and pressed into cakes, so called from its blackness.--_adj._ N[=E]'GROID.--_n._ N[=E]'GR[=O]ISM, any peculiarity of speech noticeable among negroes, esp. in the southern United States. [Sp. _negro_--L.
_niger_, black.]
NEGUS, n[=e]'gus, _n._ a beverage of either port or sherry with hot water, sweetened and spiced. [Said to be so called from Colonel _Negus_, its first maker, in the reign of Queen Anne.]
NEGUS, n[=e]'gus, _n._ the title of the kings of Abyssinia.
NEIF, n[=e]f, _n._ (_Shak._) the fist.
NEIGH, n[=a], _v.i._ to utter the cry of a horse:--_pr.p._ neigh'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p_. neighed (n[=a]d).--_n._ the cry of a horse--(_Scot._) NICH'ER. [A.S. _hn['ae]gan_; Ice. _hneggja_.]
NEIGHBOUR, na'bur, _n._ a person who dwells, sits, or stands near another: one who is on friendly terms with another.--_adj._ (_B._) neighbouring.--_v.i._ to live near each other.--_v.t._ to be near to.--_n._ NEIGH'BOURHOOD, state of being neighbours, kindly feeling: adjoining district or the people living in it: a district generally, esp. with reference to its inhabitants.--_adj._ NEIGH'BOURING, being near: adjoining.--_n._ NEIGH'BOURLINESS.--_adjs._ NEIGH'BOURLY, like or becoming a neighbour: friendly: social--also _adv._; NEIGH'BOUR-STAINED (_Shak._), stained with neighbours' blood. [A.S. _neahbur_, _neahgebur_--A.S. _neah_, near, _gebur_ or _bur_, a farmer.]
NEIST, n[=e]st, a dialectic form of _next_.
NEITHER, n[=e]'_th_[.e]r, or n[=i]'_th_[.e]r, _adj._ and _pron._ not either.--_conj._ not either: and not: nor yet.--_adv._ not at all: in no case. [A.S. _na_th_er, naw_th_er_, abbrev. of _nahwaether_--_ne_, not, _ahwaether_, _awther_, either.]
NEIVIE-NICK-NACK, n[=e]'vi-nik'-nak, _n._ a Scotch children's game of guessing in which hand a thing is held while the holder repeats a rhyme beginning with these words.
NELUMBO, n[=e]-lum'b[=o], _n._ a genus of water-lilies including the _Egyptian Bean_ of Pythagoras, and the Hindu _Lotus_.--Also NELUM'BIUM.
[Ceylon name.]
NEMALITE, nem'a-l[=i]t, _n._ a fibrous hydrate of magnesia. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, a thread, _lithos_, a stone.]
NEMATHECIUM, nem-a-th[=e]'si-um, _n._ a wart-like elevation on the surface of the thallus of certain florideous algae. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, a thread, _th[=e]kion_, _th[=e]k[=e]_, case.]
NEMATHELMINTHES, nem-a-thel-min'thez, _n.pl._ a name applied to the thread-worms or nematodes (as _Ascaris_, _Guinea-worm_, _Trichina_), to the somewhat distinct _Gordiidae_ or _hair-eels_, and to the more remotely allied _Acanthocephala_ or _Echinorhynchus_.--Also NEMATHELMIN'THA.--_adjs._ NEMATHEL'MINTH, -IC. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, a thread, _helmins_, _-minthos_, worm.]
NEMATOCEROUS, nem-a-tos'e-rus, _adj._ having long thready antennae, as a dipterous insect. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, a thread, _keras_, a horn.]
NEMATOCYST, nem'a-t[=o]-sist, _n._ a cnida, one of the offensive organs of Coelenterates, as jellyfish. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, a thread, _kystis_, a bladder.]
NEMATOID, nem'a-toid, _adj._ thread-like--also NEM'ATODE.--_n.pl._ NEMATOI'DEA, a class of Vermes, with mouth, alimentary canal, and separate sexes, usually parasitic. [Gr. _n[=e]ma_, thread, _eidos_, form.]
NEMEAN, n[=e]'m[=e]-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Nemea_, a valley of Argolis in the Peloponnesus, famous for its public games held in the second and fourth of each Olympiad.
NEMERTEA, n[=e]-mer't[=e]-a, _n.pl._ a class of Vermes, mostly marine, unsegmented, covered with cilia, often brightly coloured, with protrusile proboscis, and usually distinct sexes.--_adj._ NEMER'TEAN. [Gr.
_N[=e]mert[=e]s_, a nereid's name.]