n

nadir < middle english nadir < medieval latin nadir < arabic nazir [as-samt] (= opposite [direction]) < nazir (= opposite).

Nagasaki < japanese Nagasaki < naga (= long) + saki (= headland).

naif < french naïf < old french naif (= naive, natural, genuine, innocent) < latin nativus (= native, rustic, not artificial) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

nail < old english negel / nægl < proto-germanic *naglaz {> old norse nagl, dutch nagel, german Nagel} < I.E. *(o)nogh (= nail) {> latin unguis, ancient greek όνυξ | onyx}.

naive < french naïve, female of naïf < old french naif (= naive, natural, genuine, innocent) < latin nativus (= native, rustic, not artificial) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born) < old latin gnasco [inf. gnasci] < I.E. *gene- (= give birth, beget).

naked < old english nacod (= nude, unclothed) < proto-germanic *nakwadaz {> old norse nökkviðr, dutch naakt, german nackt} < I.E. *nogw- (= naked) {> latin nudus, ancient greek γυμνός | ghymnos, sanskrit nagna}.

name < old english nama / noma (= name, reputation) < proto-germanic *naman- {> old norse nafn, dutch naam, gothic namo, german Name} < I.E. *no-men- (= name).

Nancy < Ancy < a diminutive of middle english Annis < old french Agnes < ancient greek ‘Αγνή | ^hAghnē, female of ‘αγνός | ^haghnos (= holy, pure, chaste).

nanotechnology < nano- (< ancient greek νάνος | nanos (= dwarf)) + technology.

Naomi < hebrew Na’omi (= delight) < no’am (= pleasantness) < na’em (= was pleasant).

napalm < naphthenic [acid] + palmitic [acid].

nape < middle english nape (= the back of the neck) < (?) old french hanap (= goblet).

naphthalene < naphtha (< latin naphtha < ancient greek νάφθα | naphtha (= bitumen) < (?) 1. persian neft (= pitch) or 2. aramaic naphta / nephta) + -l- + [suffix] -ine.

napkin < middle english napkin, a diminutive of nape (= tablecloth) (< old french nape (= tablecloth, cloth cover, towel) < latin mappa (= napkin, tablecloth) + middle english [suffix] -kin (= little).

Naples < italian Napoli < ancient greek Νεάπολις | Neapolis (= New city) < νέα | nea, female of νέος | neos (= new) + πόλις | polis (= city).

Napoleon < french Napoléon < 1. germanic origin [by influence of italian Napoli], related to Nibelungen, a mythical tribe or 2. italian Napoleone (= lion of Naples / nose of a lion).

narcissism < german Narzissismus < ancient greek Νάρκισσος | Narkissos [in mythology, a beautiful youth, who fell in love with his own reflection in a spring and finally was turned to the flower “narcissus”].

narcotic < narcotik < old french narcotique < medieval latin narcoticum < ancient greek ναρκωτικόν | narkōtikon, neuter of ναρκωτικός | narkōtikos (= making numb) < ναρκωτός | narkōtos < ναρκώ | narkō (= be numb, make unconscious) < νάρκη | narkē (= numbness, stupor, cramp).

nark (= police informer) < (?) romany nak (= nose) < hindi nak < sanskrit nakra, (?) related to sanskrit nasa (= nose).

narration < middle english narracioun < old french narracion (= statement, a relating, narrating) < latin narratio (= a relating, narrative) < narro [inf. narrare] (= tell, relate, explain) < gnarus (= knowing) < I.E. *gne-ro- < *gno- (= know).

narrow < middle english narwe < old english nearu (= constricted, limited, strict) < west germanic *narwaz (= narrowness).

NASA < an acronym of National Aeronautics and Space Administration [1958].

nasal < middle english nasale < medieval latin nasale < latin nasus (= nose, sense of smell) < I.E. *nas- (= nose).

nascent < latin nascens [gen. nascentis], present participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

nasty < middle english nasti (= foul, filthy, dirty) < (?) 1. old french nastre (= miserly, malicious, spiteful), a shortening of villenastre (= infamous, bad) < vilain (= villain) + [suffix] -astr (< latin -aster) or 2. dutch nestig (= like a bird's nest, dirty).

natal < middle english natal < latin natalis (= pertaining to birth) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born) < old latin gnasco [inf. gnasci] < I.E. *gene- (= give birth, beget).

Natalie < french Natalie < late latin Natalia < [dies] natalis (= [day] of birth, Christmas day) < latin natalis (= pertaining to birth) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

Natasha < russian Natasha < Natalya [see Natalie].

natation < latin natatio (= a swimming, swimming-place) < nato [inf. natare] (= to swim).

Nathaniel < late latin Nathanael < ancient greek Ναθαναήλ | Nathanaēl < hebrew Nethan’el (= God has given) < nathan (= he has given) + El (= God).

nation < middle english nacioun < old french nacion (= birth, relatives, country, homeland) < latin natio (= birth, origin, species, race, tribe) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

native < middle english natif < old french natif (= native) < latin nativus (= innate, produced by birth) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

NATO < an acronym of North Atlantic Treaty Organization [1949].

nature < middle english nature < old french nature (= nature, being, character, essence) < latin natura (= birth, course of things, natural character, the universe) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born) < old latin gnasco [inf. gnasci] < I.E. *gene- (= give birth, beget).

naught < middle english naught (= evil, trifle, nothingness) < naht / noht (= nothing) < old english nawiht < na (= no) + wiht (= thing, being).

nausea < middle english nausea < latin nausea (= seasickness) < ancient greek ναυσία | nafsia, ναυτία | naftia (= seasickness, nausea) < ναυς | nafs (= ship).

nautical < nautic < middle french nautique < latin nauticus (= naval) < ancient greek ναυτικός | naftikos (= seafaring, naval) < ναύτης | naftēs (= sailor) < ναυς | nafs (= ship) < I.E. *nau- (= boat) {> latin navis}.

Navajo < spanish [Apaches de] Nabaju < tewa Navahu (= large field) < nava (= field) + hu (= valley).

naval < middle english naval < old french naval < latin navalis (= pertaining to a ship) < navis (= ship) < I.E. *nau- (= boat) {> ancient greek ναυς | nafs}.

navel < middle english navele < old english nafela / nabula < proto-germanic *nabalan {> swedish navle, danish navle, dutch navel, german Nabel} < I.E. *(o)nobh- (= navel) {> ancient greek ομφαλός | omphalos, latin umbilicus, persian naf, avestan nafa, sanskrit nabhila}.

navigate < navigation < latin navigatus, past-participle of navigo [inf. navigare] (= to sail, steer a ship) < navis (= ship) + ago [inf. agere] (= drive, lead, act).

navy < middle english navie < old french navie (= fleet, ship) < latin navigium (= boat) < navis (= ship) < I.E. *nau- (= boat) {> ancient greek ναυς | nafs}.

nay < middle english nay < na / ne (= not) + proto-germanic *aiwi- < I.E. *aiw- (= life).

Nazareth < hebrew Natzerath / Natseret < (?) 1. Gennesaret (= sea of Galilee) or 2. netser (= sprout, grow).

Nazi < german Nazi, an abbreviation of National-Sozialist < national (< Nation) + sozialist (< sozial (= social)).

Neanderthal < german Neanderthal (= Neander valley) < Neander, graecized form of [Joachim] Neumann (= New man), German pastor and poet < ancient greek νέος | neos (= new) + ανήρ | anēr [gen. ανδρός | andhros (= man)].

near < old english near (= closer, nearer), comparative of ne(a)h (= nigh).

nebular < middle english nebula / nebule (= cloud, mist) < latin nebula (= mist, vapor, fog, smoke) < I.E. *nebh- (= cloud).

necessary < middle english necessarie < old french necessaire (= necessary, urgent) < latin necessaries (= unavoidable, necessary) < necesse (= unavoidable, indispensable) < ne- (= not) + cedo [inf. cedere] (= go away, yield).

neck < middle english nekke < old english hnecca (= neck, nape) < proto-germanic *hnekk- (= nape).

necklace < neck (q.v.) + lace (< middle english laz (= cord) < old french laz (= net, string) < vulgar latin *lacium < latin laques (= noose, snare)).

necrology < ancient greek νεκρός | nekros (= dead) + -λογία | -loghia (= a speaking) (< λόγος | loghos (= a speaking) < λέγω | leghō (= speak)).

necropsy < ancient greek νεκρός | nekros (= dead) + όψις | opsis (= a sight).

nectar < latin nectar < ancient greek νέκταρ | nektar, the drink of the gods [in order to remain immortal (together with the food αμβροσία | ambrosia)] < (?) I.E. *nek-₍₁₎ (= death) + -tar (= overcoming) (< I.E. *tere-₍₂₎ (= cross over, overcome).

nectarine < nectar (q.v.) + [suffix] -ine.

Ned < an abbreviation of Edward < old english Eadweard < ead (= wealth, prosperity) + weard (= guardian).

need < middle english nede < old english n(i)ed (= force, wanted, necessity) < proto-germanic *nauthiz / *naudiz.

needle < old english nædl (= needle) < proto-germanic *næthlo.

negative < middle english negatif < anglo-french / old french negatif < latin negativus (= that which denies) < nego [inf. negare] (= deny).

neglect < latin neglectus, past participle of neglego [inf. neglegere] (= disregard, be indifferent to) < neclego [inf. neclegere] < old latin nec (= not) + lego [inf. legere] (= collect, select).

negotiate < latin negotiatus, past participle of negotior [inf. negotiari] (= carry on business, do business) < negotium (= business, employment) < neg- / nec (= not) + otium (= ease, leisure).

Negro < spanish / portuguese negro (= black) < latin niger [gen. nigri] (= black, dark).

neighbor < middle english neighebor < old english neahgebur / nehebur (= one who dwells nearby) < neah (= near) + gebur (= dweller) (< proto-germanic *(ga)būraz).

Neil < gaelic / old irish Niall (= champion).

neither < middle english naither / ne(i)ther < old english nawþer < nahwæþer (= not of two) < na (= no) + hwæþer (= which of two).

Nelly < a diminutive of Nell < 1. Helen or 2. Eleanor.

nemesis < ancient greek Νέμεσις | Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance, of divine wrath < νέμεσις | nemesis (= just indignation, righteous anger) < νέμω | nemō (= distribute, allot).

nemo < latin nemo (= nobody, no man) < (?) *ne-homo < ne (= not) + homo (= man).

neolithic < ancient greek νέος | neos (= new) + λίθος | lithos (= stone).

neon < ancient greek νέον | neon, neuter of νέος | neos (= new) [ so called because it was a newly discovered element (1898)].

Nepal < sanskrit Nepala < nipat (= fly down) (< ni (= down) + pat (= to fly)) + alaya (= house).

nephew < middle english neveu < old french neveu (= grandson, descendant) < latin nepos [gen. nepotis] (= sister’s son, grandson, nephew) < I.E. *nepot- (= grandchild).

nepotism < french népotisme < italian nepotismo < nepote (= nephew) < latin nepos [gen. nepotis] (= sister’s son, grandson, descendant, nephew) < I.E. *nepot- (= grandchild).

Neptune < middle english Neptune < latin Neptunus, the god of the sea < (?) I.E. *nebh- (= cloud).

nerd < (?) [slang] nert (= stupid, crazy) < nut.

nerve < middle english nerf / nerve < old french nerf < medieval latin nervus (= nerve) < latin nervus (= sinew, tendon, cord, bowstring) < pre-latin *neuros < I.E. *(s)neu- (= tendon, sinew) {> ancient greek νεύρον | neuron, armenian neard, sanskrit snavan-}.

nest < old english nest < proto-germanic *nistaz {> middle dutch nest, german Nest} < I.E. *nizdo- {> latin nidus, old irish net} < (?) *ni (= down) + *sed-₍₁₎ (= to sit).

net < old english net < proto-germanic *natjo- < I.E. *ned- (= to bind, tie).

Netherlands < dutch Nederland (= lower land) < neder (= down, lower) (< proto-germanic *nitheraz, comparative of I.E. *ni- (= down, below)) + land (< proto-germanic *landja-).

neural < ancient greek νεύρον | neuron (= nerve) < I.E. *(s)neu- (= tendon, sinew) {> latin nervus, armenian neard, sanskrit snavan-}.

neutral < latin neutralis (= of the neuter) < neuter (= neither one nor the other, of the neuter gender) < ne (= not) + uter (= either).

neuter < middle english neutre < latin neuter (= neither one nor the other, of the neuter gender) < ne (= not) + uter (= either).

Nevada < spanish [Sierra] Nevada (= Snowy [mount range]) < nevada, female of nevado (= snowy) < I.E. *sneigwh- (= snow).

never < middle english never < old english næfre (= not ever) < ne (= not) + æfre (= ever, always) (< (?) a in feore (= ever in life)).

new < middle english neue < old english neowe / niowe < niwe (= fresh, novel, recently grown) < proto-germanic *neuja- {> swedish ny, dutch nieuw, danish ny, german neu}.

New York < new + York, a city of England (< old english Eoforwic < Eborakon, related to Ebores, a tribe < celtic source) [it was the former dutch Nieuw Amsterdam, renamed after British acquisition (1664) in honor of the Duke of York].

New Zealand < dutch Nieuw Zeeland [former dutch Staaten Landt] < nieuw (= new) + Zeeland (= Sea land), a province of Holland.

next < middle english nexte < old english niehsta / nyhsta / nesta (= nearest, closest), superlative of ne(a)h (= nigh) < proto-germanic *nekh- (= near) + [superlative suffix] *-istaz.

Niagara < (?) 1. iroquoian nee-agg-arah (= dashing waters) or 2. a similar source, meaning (= land divded in two) or (= between two bodies of water).

Nicaragua < Nicarao, a native chief + spanish agua (= water).

Nice < french Nice < ancient greek Νίκαια | Nicaea < Nίκη | Nikē (= Nike), the goddess of victory < νίκη | nikē (= victory).

nice < middle english nice < old french nice (= careless, weak, simple) < latin nescius (= ignorant, unaware) < ne (= not) + scio [inf. scire] (= to know).

Nicholas < french Nicolas < latin Nic(h)olaus < ancient greek Νικόλαος | Nikolaos < νίκη | nikē (= victory) + λαός | laos (= people).

Nick < a diminutive of Nicholas (q.v.).

nickel < swedish nickel < a shortening of kopparnickel (= copper-colored ore) < german Kupfernickel (= copper demon) < Kupfer (= copper) + Nickel (= demon, goblin).

nickelodeon (= a motion picture theater) < nickel (= “five-cent coin”) [the cost to view it] + -odeon [on model of Melodeon (= music hall)] (< ancient greek ωδείον | ōdhoeon (= building for musical performances) < ω_ιδή | ō_idē (= song, ode).

nickname < middle english neke name < ekename / an eke name (= an additional name) < old english eaca (= an increase) + name.

nicotine < french nicotine < nicotiane < modern latin nicotiana (= tobacco plant) < french [Jean] Nicot, an ambassador to Portugal [who sent tobacco to France in 1561] (< a diminutive of Nic(h)olas (q.v.)).

niece < middle english nece < old french niece (= niece, granddaughter) < niepce < latin neptia < neptis (= granddaughter, niece), female of nepos [gen. nepotis] (= grandson, nephew).

Niger < tuareg n-igereouen, the river Niger < n-igereouen, plural of egereou (= big river, sea) [(?) by influence of latin niger (= black)].

nigger < negar / neger / negur < french nègre < spanish negro (= black) < latin niger [gen. nigris] (= black, dark).

night < old english niht < proto-germanic *nahts {> old norse natt, dutch nacht, gothic nahts, german Nacht} < I.E. *nekwt- (= night) {> old irish nochd, ancient greek νυξ | nyx [gen. νυκτός | nyktos], latin nox [gen. noctis], lithuanian naktis (= night), old church slavonic nosti, russian noch’, sanskrit naktam} < (?) *neg- (= be dark, be night).

nightmare < middle english nightmare < night + old english mare (= incubus, monster) (< mera / mære < proto-germanic *maron (= goblin)).

nihilism < german Nihilismus < latin nihil (= nothing at all) < ne (= not) + hilum (= small thing, trifle).

Nike < ancient greek Nίκη | Nikē, the goddess of victory < νίκη | nikē (= victory).

Nile < latin Nilus < ancient greek Νείλος | Noelos < (?) semitic nahal (= river).

Nina < 1. russian Nina < a shortening of Annina < a diminutive of ancient greek Άννα | Anna < hebrew Hannah (= grace) or 2. spanish Niña (= child, infant).

nine < middle english nin < old english nigen < proto-germanic *newun {> old norse niu, swedish nio, dutch negen, german neun} < I.E. *newn (= nine) {> old irish noin, latin novem, ancient greek εννέα | ennea, albanian nende, lithuanian devyni, old church slavonic deveti, avestan nava, sanskrit nava}.

nirvana < sanskrit nirvana-s (= a blowing out, extinction, disappearance) < nis- / nir- (= out) + va- (= to blow) (< I.E. *we- (= to blow)).

nitre < middle english nitre < old french nitre < latin nitrum < ancient greek νίτρον | nitron (= sodium carbonate).

nitrogen < french nitrogène < ancient greek νίτρον | nitron (= sodium carbonate) + french -gène (< ancient greek stem γεν- | ghen-, γον- | ghon- of γίγνομαι | ghighnomae (= become, produce).

no < middle english no < old english na < ne (= not) (< proto-germanic *ne < I.E. *ne- (= not)) + a (= ever) (< proto-germanic *aiwi- < I.E. *aiw- (= life, eternity)).

Noah < hebrew Noach (= rest).

Nobel < swedish [Alfred] Nobel, chemist and engineer, inventor of dynamite [established in his will from 1900 for five prizes (physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace) and in 1969 added economics].

noble < middle english noble < old french noble < latin nobilis (= well-known, famous, high-born) < (g)nosco [inf. (g)noscere] (= come to know) < I.E. *gno- (= to know).

noctilucent < latin nox [gen. noctis] (= night) + lucens [gen. lucentis], present participle of luceo [inf. lucere] (= to shine, glow).

nocturnal < middle english nocturnal < old french nocturnal (= nightly) / late latin nocturnalis < latin nocturnus (= of the night) < nox [gen. noctis] (= night) + [suffix] -urnus.

Noel < middle english nouel / nowel (= Christmas) < old french noel (= the Christmas season) < nael < latin natalis [dies] (= birth [day], Christmas) < natus, past participle of nascor [inf. nasci] (= be born).

noise < middle english noise < old french noise (= disturbance) < 1. latin nausea (= seasickness) < ancient greek ναυσία | nafsia, ναυτία | naftia (= seasickness, nausea) < ναυς | nafs (= ship) or 2. latin noxia (= hurt, injury, damage).

nomad < middle french nomade < latin Nomas [gen. Nomadis] (= wandering groups in Arabia) < ancient greek νομάς | nomas [gen. νομάδος | nomadhos] (= roaming, wandering).

nomenclature < middle french nomenclature < latin nomenclatura (= calling of names) < nomenclator (= namer) < nomen (= name) + calator (= caller) (< calo [inf. calare] (= call out)).

nominal < middle english nominalle (= pertaining to nouns) < latin nominalis (= pertaining to a name) < nomen [gen. nominis] (= name) < I.E. *no-men- (= name).

nomology < ancient greek νόμος | nomos (= law, custom) + -λογία | -loghia (= study) (< λόγος | loghos (= a speaking) < λέγω | leghō (= speak)).

nomothetic < ancient greek νομοθετικός | nomothetikos (= legislative) < νομοθέτης | nomothetēs (= lawgiving) < νόμος | nomos (= law, custom) + -θέτης | -thetēs (< τίθημι | tithēmi (= to put, place)).

non-stop < non- (< anglo-french noun- < old french non- < latin non (= not) < old latin noenum (= not one)) + stop [originally on trains not making intermediate stops].

none < middle english non(e) < old english nan (= not one) < ne (= not) + an (= one).

nones < middle english nones < old french nones < latin nonæ (= the ninth day before the ides of each month in the Roman calendar) < nonæ, female plural of nonus (= ninth) < *novenos < novem (= nine).

nonsense < non- (< anglo-french noun- < old french non- < latin non (= not) < old latin noenum (= not one)) + sense.

noon < middle english non (= midday, midday meal) < old english non < latin nona [hora] (= ninth [hour]) [about 3 p.m.] < nona, female of nonus (= ninth) < *novenos < novem (= nine).

Nora < irish Nora, a shortening of 1. Honora < late latin Honoria, female of Honorius (= honour) < latin honor (= honor, reputation) or 2. italian Leonora < provençal Alienor < alia Aenor (= the other Aenor) [a queen of Aquitaine, so called to distinguish her from hers mother with the same name, Aenor] < latin alia, female of alius (= other) + old germanic Aenor.

Nordic < french nordique (= of the north) < nord (= north) < proto-germanic *nurtha-.

norm < french norme < latin norma (= pattern, rule).

Norma < italian Norma < (?) latin norma (= rule) or 2. Norma, female of Norman (q.v.).

Norman < middle english Norman < old french Normand / Normant (= North man) < proto-germanic *nurtha- + *mann-.

Norse < dutch Noorsch (= Norwegian) < noordsch (= northern, nordic) < noord (= north) < proto-germanic *nurtha-.

north < old english norð- (= northern) < norð (= northwards, in the north) < proto-germanic *nurtha- {> old norse norðr, dutch noord, german nord} < (?) I.E. *ner-₍₁₎ (= left) [because north is to the left, when one looks to the sunrise].

Norway < middle english Nor-weie < old english Norweg / Norþweg < old norse Norvegr (= north way) < norðr (= north) + vegr (= way) < proto-germanic *nurtha- + *wegaz (= way).

nose < middle english nose < old english nosu (= nose) < proto-germanic *nuso- {> old norse nös, dutch neus, old high german nasa, german Nase} < I.E. *nas- (= nose).

nostalgia < ancient greek νόστος | nostos (= homecoming) (< νέομαι | neomae (= return, get home)) + άλγος | alghos (= pain).

Nostratic (= of a proposed meta-family of languages (Indo-European, Semitic, Altaic and Dravidian) [1966]) < latin nostratis (= of our country) < noster [gen. nostri] (= our) < nos (= we).

not < middle english not < naht / noht (= nothing, in no way) < old english nawiht < na (= no) + wiht (= thing, being).

notation < middle french notation < latin notatio (= a marking, notation) < noto [inf. notare] (= to note).

note < middle english note < old french note < latin nota (= mark, letter, character, note) < notus (= known), past participle of (g)nosco [inf. (g)noscere] (= come to know) < I.E. *gno- (= to know).

notice < middle english notice < old french notece < latin notitia (= a being known, celebrity, fame, knowledge) < notus (= known), past participle of (g)nosco [inf. (g)noscere] (= come to know) < I.E. *gno- (= to know).

nougat < french nougat < provençal nougat < old provençal nogat (= nutcake) < noga / nuga (= nut) < vulgar latin *nuca < latin nux [gen. nucis] (= nut) < I.E. *kneu- (= nut).

noun < middle english noun < anglo-french noun (= name, noun) < old french nom / non < latin nomen (= name, noun) < I.E. *no-men- (= name).

nouvelle < french nouvelle (= new) < latin novellus (= new, young, recent), a diminutive of novus (= new).

novate < latin novo [inf. novare] (= make new) < novus (= new).

novel < italian novella (= new story, short story) < latin novella, female of novellus (= new, young, recent), a diminutive of novus (= new).

November < middle english November < old french novembre < latin November [mensis] (= ninth [month]) [of the old Roman calendar, which began with March] < novem (= nine) + [suffix] -ber (< -bris).

novice < middle english novice < old french novice (= beginner) < medieval latin novicius < latin novicius (= newly arrived, inexperienced) < novus (= new).

now < middle english nou < old english nu (= at this moment, immediately) < proto-germanic *nu {> old norse nu, dutch nu, german nun} < I.E. *nu (= now) {> latin nunc, ancient greek νυν | nyn, hittite nuwa, old persian nuram, avestan nu, sanskrit nu}.

nowadays < middle english nowadays < nou adayes < now (q.v.) + adayes (= during the day) (< a- (= on) + day).

noxious < middle english noxius < latin noxius (= hurtful, injurious) < noxia (= hurt, injury, damage).

nucleus < latin nucleus (= kernel) < nucula (= little nut), a diminutive of nux [gen. nucis] (= nut) < I.E. *kneu- (= nut).

nude < latin nudus (= naked, bare, unclothed) < I.E. *nogw- (= naked).

nuke < american-english nuke < [slang] a shortening of nuclear weapon [1959].

null < middle french nul < latin nullus (= none) < ne- (= not) + illus (= any), a diminutive of unus (= one).

numb < middle english nome (= deprived of feeling, powerless to act) < nome, past participle of nimen (= take, seize) < old english niman (= take, catch).

number < middle english number (= sum) < anglo-french noumbre / old french nombre < latin numerus (= number) < I.E. *nem- (= assign, allot, take).

numinous < latin numen [gen. numinis] (= nod, will, divine will) < nuo [inf. nuere] (= to nod).

numismatic < french numismatique < latin numisma (= coin, currency) < ancient greek νόμισμα | nomisma (= coin, money) < νομίζω | nomizō (= think, have in use, adopt a custom) < νόμος | nomos (= custom, law, usage) < I.E. *nem- (= assign, allot, take).

nun < old english nunne < late latin nonna (= nun, tutor).

nuncheon < middle english non-schench (= food taken at midday) < none (= noon) + shench (= draught, cup).

nuncio < old italian nuncio < latin nuntius (= messenger) < I.E. *neu- (= to shout).

Nuremberg < german Nürnberg < medieval latin Norinberga < Norin, (?) related to scandinavian Norn, a god of fate + Berg (= mountain).

nurse < middle english norice / nurrice < old french norrice (= foster-mother, wet-nurse, nanny) < late latin *nutricia (= nurse, tutoress) < latin nutricia, female of nutricius (= that suckles, nourishes) < nutrix [gen. nutricis] (= wet-nurse) < nutrio [inf. nutrire] (= to suckle).

nut < middle english note < old english hnutu < proto-germanic *hnut- {> old norse hnot, dutch noot, german Nuss} < I.E. *kneu- (= nut) {> latin nux}.

nutrition < old french nutrition < latin nutritio (= a nourishing) < nutrio [inf. nutrire] (= to suckle).

nuts (= crazy) < [slang] be nuts on (= be very fond of) [(?) by influence of nut (= head)] < (?) nuts [plural] (= source of pleasure) < nut (q.v.).

nylon < [1938] 1. (?) vinyl + rayon or 2. nyl- + -on (< (?) cotton).

nymph < middle english nimphe < old french nimphe < latin nympha (= nymph, demi-goddess, bride, young woman, mistress) < ancient greek νύμφη | nymphē (= bride, young wife, demi-goddess).

nymphomania < french nymphomanie < ancient greek νύμφη | nymphē (= bride, young wife) [(?) by influence of latin nympha (= nymph, mistress)] + μανία | mania (= madness, fury) (< μαίνομαι | maenomae (= rage, go mad)).