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
| gymnos, 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 | hAgnē, female of ‘αγνός | hagnos (= 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 |
andros (= 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 | -logia (= a
speaking) (< λόγος | logos (= a
speaking) < λέγω | legō (= 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)].
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 |
Nemessis, the goddess of vengeance, of
divine wrath < νέμεσις |
nemessis (= 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 |
ōdoeon (= building for musical performances)
< ωιδή |
ōidē (= 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- | gen-, γον- | gon- of γίγνομαι | gignomae
(= 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 | nomados] (= 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
| -logia (= study) (< λόγος
| logos (= a speaking) < λέγω | legō (= 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 | algos (= 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 [gen. νoμίσματος | nomismatos] (= coin, money) < νομίζω | nomizō (= think, have in use, adopt a custom) < νόμος | nomos (= custom, law, usage).
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)).
