N Flashcards
(164 cards)
0
Q
nag (2)
A
(v)(nagged, nagging)1. To make scolding remarks to (a person). 2. (of pain or worry) to be felt persistently.
1
Q
nadir
A
(n) the lowest point, the time of deepest depression.
2
Q
nail (v)
A
(v) 1. To fasten with a nail or nails. 2. To catch or arrest, (nailed the intruder). 3. To identify precisely.
3
Q
naïve
A
(adj)1. Showing a lack of experience or of informed judgment. 2. Of or painted by artists with no formal training, who paint in an individual style. Naïvely (adv), naïvety or naïveté (n).
4
Q
naked
A
(adj)1. Without clothes on, nude. 2. Without the usual coverings or ornamentation etc.; (a naked sword), without its sheath. 3. undisguised, (the naked truth). Nakedly (adv), nakedness (n). Naked eye: the eye unassisted by a telescope or microscope etc. Naked flame or light: one without a shad or protective covering.
5
Q
namby-pamby
A
(adj) lacking positive character, feeble, not manly. (n) a person of this kind.
6
Q
have to one’s name
A
to possess.
7
Q
in name only
A
so called but not so in reality.
8
Q
nameless
A
(adj) 1. Having no name or no known name. 2. Not mentioned by name, anonymous, (others who shall be nameless). 3. Too bad to be named, (nameless horrors).
9
Q
namesake
A
(n) a person or thing with the same name as another.
10
Q
narcosis
A
(n) a state of sleep or drowsiness produced by drugs or by electricity. Narcotic (adj): causing sleep or drowsiness; (n) a narcotic drug.
11
Q
narrow-minded
A
(adj) rigid in one’s views and sympathies, not tolerant.
12
Q
narwhal
A
(n) an Arctic animal related to the whale, the male of which has a long tusk with a spiral groove.
13
Q
nation-wide
A
(adj) extending over the whole of a nation.
14
Q
nationalism
A
(n) a patriotic feeling or principles or efforts. 2. A movement favouring independence for a country that is controlled by or forms part of another. Nationalist (n): supporter of nationalism. Nationalistic (adj).
15
Q
nationalise
A
(v) to convert (industries etc.) from private to government ownership. Nationalisation (n).
16
Q
native (adj)
A
(adj) 1. Belonging to a person or thing by nature, inborn, natural. 2. (of a person) belonging to a particular place by birth, (of a thing) belonging to a person because of his place of birth, (one’s native land or language). 3. Grown or produced or originating in a specified place. 4. Of the natives of a place. Native bear: (Austral.) the koala.
17
Q
natter
A
(v)(informal) to chat. (n) (informal) a chat.
18
Q
naturalist
A
(n) an expert in natural history.
19
Q
naught
A
(n)(old use) nothing, = nought.
20
Q
nausea
A
(n) a feeling of sickness or disgust.
21
Q
nautical
A
(adj) of sailors or seamanship.
22
Q
naval
A
(adj) of a navy, or warships; (a naval power), a country with a strong navy.
23
Q
navel
A
(n)1. The small hollow in the centre of the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached. 2. The central point of something. Navel orange: a large orange with a navel-like formation at the top.
24
navigable
(adj)1. (of rivers or seas) suitable for ships to sail in. 2. (of a ship etc.) able to be steered and sailed. Navigability (n).
25
Neanderthal
(adj) of Neanderthal man, an extinct type of mankind living in the Old Stone Age in Europe.
26
near miss
something that missed its objective only narrowly; not a direct hit but near enough to do damage.
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near thing
something achieved or missed by only a narrow margin; a narrow escape.
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nearly
(adv)1. Closely; (we are nearly related), are closely related. 2. Almost. Not nearly: nothing like, far from, (not nearly enough).
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nebulous
(adj) indistinct, having no definite form, (nebulous ideas). Nebula (n)(pl nebulae): a bright or dark patch in the sky caused by distant stars or a cloud of dust or gas.
30
necessaries
(pl n) things without which life cannot be maintained or is exceedingly harsh.
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necessity
(n)1. The state of fact of being necessary, (the necessity of adequate food). 2. A necessary thing. 3. The compelling power of circumstances. 4. A state of need or great poverty or hardship.
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neck and neck
running level in a race.
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risk one's neck
(or 'save one's neck) to risk or save one's own life.
34
up to one's neck in
(informal) very deeply involved in.
35
necropolis
(n) a cemetery, especially an ancient one.
36
née
(adj) born- used in giving a married woman's maiden name, (Mrs Jane Smith, née Jones).
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if need be
if necessary.
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needless
(adj) not needed, unnecessary. Needlessly (adv).
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needy
(adj)(needier, neediest) lacking the necessaries of life, extremely poor.
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ne'er do well
(n) a good-for-nothing person.
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nefarious
(adj) wicked. Nefariously (adv).
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negate
(v) to nullify, to disprove. Negation (n).
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négligé
(n) a woman's light flimsy ornamental dressing-gown.
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negligence
(n) lack of proper care or attention, carelessness. Negligent (adj), negligently (adv).
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negligible
(adj) very small in amount etc. and not worth taking into account.
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negotiable
(adj)1. Able to be modified after discussion, (the salary is negotiable). 2. (of a cheque etc.) able to be converted into cash or transferred to another person.
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negotiate
(v)1. To try to reach an agreement or arrangement by discussion, to arrange in this way, (negotiated a treaty). 2. To get or give money in exchange for (a cheque or bonds etc.) 3. To get over or through (an obstacle or difficulty) successfully. Negotiation (n), negotiator (n).
48
Negroid
(adj) having the physical characteristics that are typical of Negroes (members of the black-skinned race of mankind that originated in Africa), with black skin, woolly hair, and flat nose. (n) a Negroid person.
49
neighbourly
(adj) kind and friendly, as one neighbour should be to another. Neighbourliness (n).
50
be neither here nor there
to be of no importance or relevance.
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nemesis
(n) the infliction of deserved and unavoidable punishment.
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neolithic
(adj) of the later part of the Stone Age.
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neoprene
(n) a tough synthetic rubber-like substance.
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nepotism
(n) favouritism shown to relatives in appointing them to jobs.
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get on a person's nerves
to be irritating to him.
56
nerve
(n)1. Any of the fibres or bundles of fibre carrying impulses of sensation or of movement between the brain or spinal cord and all parts of the body. 2. Courage, coolness in danger, (lose one's nerve). 3. (informal) impudent boldness, (had the nerve to ask for more). (v) to give strength or vigour or courage to; (nerve oneself), to brace oneself to face danger or suffering.
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nerve-racking
(adj) inflicting great strain on the nerves.
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nervous breakdown
loss of mental and emotional stability.
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nest-egg
(n) a sum of money saved for future use.
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nettle
(n)1. A common wild plant with hairs on its leaves that sting and redden the skin when they are touched. 2. A plant resembling this. (v) to irritate or provoke.
61
nestle
(v)1. To curl up or press oneself comfortably into a soft place. 2. To lie half-hidden or sheltered. Nestling (n): a bird too young to leave the nest.
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net (v)
(v) (netted, netting) 1. To make by forming threads into a net, to make netting. 2. To place nets in, to cover or confine with or as if with a net. 3. To catch in or as if in a net.
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nether
(adj) lower, (the nether regions). Nethermost (adj).
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neurotic
(adj) 1. Of or caused by a neurosis (a mental disorder producing depression or abnormal behaviour, sometimes with physical symptoms but with no evidence of disease). 2. (of a person) subject to abnormal anxieties or obsessive behaviour. (n) a neurotic person. Neurotically (adv).
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neuter
(adj)1. (of a noun) neither masculine nor feminine. 2. (of plants) without male or female parts. 3. (of insects) sexually undeveloped, sterile. (n) a neuter word or plant or insect, a castrated animal. (v) to castrate.
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never mind
do not be troubled; do not trouble about, you may ignore, (never mind the bread); I refuse to answer your question.
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well I never!
an exclamation of surprise.
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nevermore
(adv) at no future time.
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nevertheless
(adv & conj) in spite of this.
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newcomer
(n) a person who has arrived recently.
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newfangled
(adj)(contemptuous) objectionable new in method or style.
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newly
(adv) recently, freshly.
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newsworthy
(adj) important or interesting enough to be mentioned as ne
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newsy
(adj)(informal) full of news.
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next world
life after death.
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nexus
(n)(pl nexuses) a connected group or series.
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nice
(adj)1. Pleasant, satisfactory. 2. (ironically) difficult, bad, (this is a nice mess). 3. Needing precision and care, involving fine distinctions, (it's a nice point). 4. Fastidious. Nicely (adv), niceness (n).
78
niche
(n)1. A shallow recess, especially in a wall. 2. A position in life or employment to which the holder is well suited, (has found his niche).
79
nick
(n)1. A small cut or notch. 2. (slang) a police station, prison. (v)1. To make a nick in. 2. (slang) to steal. 3. (slang) to catch or arrest (a criminal). In good nick: (slang) in good condition. In the nick of time: only just in time.
80
niggardly
(adj) stingy.
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niggle
(v) to fuss over details, to find fault in a petty way.
82
nigh
(adv & prep) near.
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nightie
(n)(informal) a nightdress.
84
nimble
(adj)1. Able to move quickly, agile. 2. (of the mind or wits) able to think quickly. Nimbly (adv), nimbleness (n).
85
nincompoop
(n) a foolish person.
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dressed up to the nines
dressed very elaborately.
87
nine days' wonder
something that attracts much attention at first but is soon forgotten.
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ninny
(n) a foolish person.
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nip (1)
(v)(nipped, nipping) 1. To pinch or squeeze sharply, to bite quickly with the front teeth. 2. To break off by doing this, (nip off the side-shoots). 3. To pain or harm with biting cold, (a nipping wind). 4. (slang) to go quickly, (nip out). (n)1. A sharp pinch or squeeze or bite. 2. Biting coldness, (a nip in the air). Nip in the bud: to destroy at an early stage of development.
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nippy
(adj)(informal)1. Nimble, quick. 2. Bitingly cold. Nippiness (n).
91
nirvana
(n)(in Buddhist and Hindu teaching) the state of perfect bliss attained when the soul is freed from all suffering and absorbed into the supreme spirit.
92
nit
(n)1. The egg of a louse or other parasite. 2. (slang) a stupid or foolish person. Nit-picking (n):(informal) fault-finding in a petty way.
93
nitty-gritty
(n)(slang) the basic facts or realities of a matter.
94
nitwit
(n)(informal) a stupid or foolish person.
95
no man's land
an area not firmly assigned to any one owner; a space between the fronts of two opposing armies in war.
96
nob
(n)(slang) the head; a person of high rank.
97
nobility
(n) nobleness of mind or character or rank; (the nobility), people of aristocratic birth or rank, title people.
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noblesse oblige
noble people must behave nobly, privilege entails responsibility.
99
nocturnal
(adj)1. Of or in the night. 2. Active in the night, (nocturnal animals).
100
nocturne
(n) a dreamy piece of music.
101
nomad
(n)1. A member of a tribe that roams from place to place seeking pasture for its animals. 2. A wanderer. Nomadic (adj), nomadism (n).
102
nominal
(adj)1. In name only, (nominal ruler of that country). 2. (of an amount or sum of money) very small but charged or paid as a token that payment is required, (a nominal fee). Nominally (adv). Nominal value: the face value of a coin etc.
103
nonagenarian
(n) a person who is in his or her nineties.
104
non-aligned
(adj) not in alliance with any bloc. Non-alignment (n).
105
nonchalant
(adj) not feeling or showing anxiety or excitement, calm and casual. Nonchalantly (adv), nonchalance (n).
106
non-committal
(adj) not committing oneself, not showing what one thinks or which side one supports.
107
non-conformist
(n) A person who does not conform to established principles.
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nondescript
(adj) lacking in distinctive characteristics and therefore not easy to classify. (n) a nondescript person or thing.
109
none
(pronoun)1. Not any, (none of them is (or 'are') required). 2. No person(s), no one, (none can tell). (adv) by no amount, not at all, (is none the worse for it). None other: no other person. None the less: nevertheless. None too: not very, not at all, (he is none too pleased).
110
nonentity
(n) a person or thing of no importance.
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non-existent
(adj) not existing.
112
non-intervention
(n) the policy of not interfering in other people's disputes.
113
nonplussed
(adj) completely perplexed.
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non sequitur
a conclusion that does not follow from the evidence given.
115
nook
(n) a secluded place or corner, a recess.
116
noose
(n) a loop of rope etc. with a knot that tightens when pulled.
117
norm
(n)1. A standard or pattern or type considered to be representative of a group. 2. A standard amount of work etc. to be done or produced.
118
Norse
(adj) of ancient Norway or Scandinavia. (n) the Norwegian language or the Scandinavian group of languages.
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northbound
(adj) travelling northward.
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northerly
(adj) in or towards the north; (a northerly wind), blowing from the north (approximately). (n) a northerly wind.
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northerner
(n) a native or inhabitant of the north.
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northernmost (adj) furthest north.
northward
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northward
(adj & adv) towards the north. Northwards (adv).
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pay through the nose
to pay an unfairly high price.
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rub his nose in it
to remind him humiliatingly of his error.
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turn up one's nose at
to reject or ignore contemptuously.
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under a person's nose
where he can or should see it clearly.
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with one's nose in the air
haughtily.
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nosedive
(n)1. An aeroplane's steep downward plunge with the nose first. 2. Any sudden drop or plunge. (v) to make this.
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nosey
(adj)(nosier, nosiest) (slang) inquisitive. Nosily (adv), nosiness (n). Nosey Parker: an inquisitive person, a busy-body.
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nostalgia
(n) sentimental memory of or longing for things of the past. Nostalgic (adj): feeling or producing nostalgia. Nostalgically (adv).
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not at all
a polite reply to thanks.
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not half
not nearly, (not half enough); (informal) not at all, (it's not half bad); (slang) very much, (he didn't half swear).
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notable
(adj) worthy of notice, remarkable, eminent. (n) an eminent person.
135
notch
(n)1. A V-shaped cut or indentation. 2. One of the levels in a graded system, (everyone moved up a notch). (v)1. To make a notch or notches in. 2. To score, (notched up another win).
136
note (n-8)
a significant sound or indication of feelings etc., (a note of optimism).
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noted
(adj) famous, well-known.
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noteworthy
(adj) worthy of notice, remarkable.
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for nothing
without payment, free; without a reward or result.
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nothing doing
(slang) a statement of refusal or failure.
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noticeable
(adj) easily seen or notice. Noticeably (adv).
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notify
(v)(notified, notifying)1. To inform. 2. To report, to make (a thing) known. Notification (n).
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notion
(n)1. An idea or opinion, especially one that is vague or probably incorrect. 2. An understanding or intention, (has no notion of discipline).
144
notorious
(adj) well known, especially in an unfavourable way. Notoriously (adv), notoriety (n).
145
notwithstanding
(prep) in spite of. (adv) nevertheless.
146
nouveau riche
a person who has acquired wealth only recently, especially one who displays this ostentatiously.
147
novelty
(n)1. The quality of being novel. 2. A novel thing or occurrence. 3. A small unusual object, especially one suitable for giving as a present.
148
novice
(n)1. A person who is inexperienced in the work etc. that he is doing, a beginner. 2. One who has been accepted into a religious order but has not yet taken the final vows.
149
now and again
(or 'now and then') occasionally.
150
nowadays
(adv) at the present time (contrasted with years ago).
151
noxious
(adj) unpleasant and harmful.
152
nozzle
(n) the vent or spout of a hosepipe etc. through which a stream of liquid or air is directed.
153
nuance
(n) a subtle difference in meaning, a shade of meaning.
154
nugget
(n)1. A rough lump of gold or platinum as found in the earth. 2. Something small and valuable, (nuggets of information).
155
nuisance
(n) a source of annoyance, an annoying person or thing.
156
nuptial
(adj) of marriage, of a wedding ceremony. Nuptial flight: a flight of bees or ants etc. in which mating takes place. Nuptials (pl n): a wedding.
157
nursing home
a privately run hospital or home for invalids.
158
nutritious
(adj) nourishing, efficient as food.
159
nutritive
(adj) nourishing. (n) a nourishing substance.
160
nutshell
(n) the hard outer shell of a nut. In a nutshell: expressed in the briefest possible way.
161
nutty
(adj)1. Full of nuts. 2. Tasting like nuts. 3. (slang) crazy.
162
nuzzle
(v) to press or rub gently with the nose.
163
nymph
(n)1. (in mythology) a semi-divine maiden living in the sea or woods etc. 2. A young insect that resembles its parents in form.
