browse search

Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z
Nicene council either of two church councils, one in the fourth century and one in the eighth century, that convened in Nicaea to establish or modify church doctrine.
Nicene Creed a formal statement of the basic doctrines of Christianity, first adopted at a church council in Nicaea in 325 A.D. and later expanded to forms generally accepted by western Christianity.
nicety a subtle distinction; fine point.
niche a crevice or recessed area, esp. an ornamental one set in a wall to hold a statue, urn, or the like. [4 definitions]
nick a shallow cut, notch, or chip in a surface. [6 definitions]
nickel a chemical element that has twenty-eight protons in each nucleus and that occurs in pure form as a dense, hard, but malleable silver-white solid metal, used in alloys such as stainless steel and as a catalyst for various chemical reactions. (symbol: Ni). [4 definitions]
nickelodeon an early type of jukebox. [2 definitions]
nickel plate a thin coating of nickel, usu. deposited by electroplating, that provides an inexpensive, protective cover for other metals.
nickel silver a silver-colored, hard, durable, corrosion-resistant alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel, used for utensils, tableware, and the like.
nicker to neigh or whinny. [2 definitions]
nickknack variant of knickknack.
nickname a name given to a person, place, or thing in place of or in addition to the proper name, to indicate humor, familiarity, or the character of the person, place, or thing. [3 definitions]
Nicolaus Copernicus a Polish astronomer (b.1473--d.1543).
Nicosia the capital of Cyprus.
nicotine a poisonous alkaloid that occurs in tobacco and is used in insecticides.
nicotinic acid niacin.
nictate variant of nictitate.
nictitate to wink.
nictitating membrane a thin, transparent membrane that forms an inner eyelid on birds, reptiles, and some mammals, that can be closed to keep the eye clean and moist.
niddering (archaic) an honorless wretch; coward.
niece a daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law.