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neighbour
people, teams etc, especially as a result of competition: the game between the two old rivals is always a real needle match (=which each wants to win very much because of bad feeling between them) 8 needle in a haystack infml something very small which is hard to find in a big place -> see also CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE, PINS AND NEEDLES
needle2 v infml [T(into)] to annoy (someone) by repeated unkind remarks, stupid jokes etc; PROVOKE: The boys always needled Jim about being fat. | She tried to needle me into losing my temper.
nee-dle-point /'mi:dlpoint/ n [U] pictures made by sewing different coloured threads onto or into a material: His mother does needlepoint.
need-less /'ni:dlas/ adj 1 not needed; unnecessary: What a lot of needless trouble, preparing for guests who don't turn up! 2 needless to say of course; as was to be expected: Needless to say, it rained when I left my window open. -->ly adv: She was needlessly worried.
nee-dle-wom-an /'ni:dl,wumən/ BrE || seamstress AmE --n pl. -women /-wimin/ a woman who can sew: a good needlewoman | I'm no needlewoman.
nee-dle-work /'ni:dlw3:k||-w3:rk/ n [U] sewing, especially fancy sewing, done with needle and thread: tired eyes from doing fine needlework | chairs with needlework cushions
need-n't /'ni:dnt/ short for NEED not: You needn't go if you don't want to. | I needn't have put on this thick coat. (=but I did) -> see MUST (USAGE), OUGHT (USAGE)
needs /ni:dz/ adv old use or humor necessarily (in the phrases must needs or needs must): If those are his commands we must needs obey. | I can't really afford to take a taxi, but needs must.
need-y /'ni:di/ adj [also n, the+P] poor; without food, clothing etc: a needy family | money to help the needy -->iness n [U]
ne'er /neə/ adv poet never: Will he ne'er come home again?
ne'er-do-well n derog a useless lazy person
Nee-son, Li-am /'nisən, 'li:əm/ (1952-) an Irish actor who works mainly in the US, and whose films include Schindler's List (1993), Michael Collins (1996), and Gangs of New York (2002).
ne-far-i-ous /ni'feəriəs/ adj fml very wicked; evil: a nefarious crime/criminal -->ly adv -->ness n [U]
neg. written abbrev. for NEGATIVE
ne-gate /nr'geit/ v [T] rather fml 1 to cause to have no effect: This burst of terrorist activity could completely negate our efforts to expand tourism here. 2 to declare untrue; DENY -->gation /nr'gerfən/ n [С;Џ]
ne-ga-tive1 /'negatıv/ adj 1 a) refusing, doubting, or disapproving; saying or meaning 'no': He gave a negative answer to my request. b) containing one of the words 'no', 'not', 'nothing', 'never' etc: 'Not at all' is a negative expression. 'Can't' and 'cannot' are negative forms of 'can'. -> opposite AFFIRMATIVE 2 without any active, useful, or helpful qualities; not CONSTRUCTIVE: I've had enough negative advice - it only tells me what not to do. | a negative attitude 3 showing the lack of what was hoped for or expected: I'm looking for a house, but with negative results so far. (=I haven't found one) | a negative return on our investment | (med) The test for bacteria was negative. (=none were found) 4 [no comp.] (of electricity) of the type that is carried by ELECTRONS 5 [no comp.] (of a number) less than zero: a negative profit (=a loss) | If x is positive then minus x (-x) is negative. 6 [no comp.] med having no RHESUS FACTOR in the blood: Rh-negative blood -> opposite POSITIVE (for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) -->ly adv
negative2 n 1 a statement saying or meaning 'no'; a refusal or DENIAL: The answer to my request was a strong negative. | The answer was in the negative. -> opposite AFFIRMATIVE 2 a photograph or film showing dark areas as light and light areas as dark -> opposite POSITIVE **negative**
negative3 v [T] infml 1 [often pass.] to decide against; refuse to accept: The plan was negatived by the committee. 2 to disprove
,negative 'pole n 1 the end of a MAGNET which turns naturally away from the Earth 2 a CATHODE
ne-glect1 /nt'glekt/ v [T] 1 to give too little attention or care to: a neglected garden | You've been neglecting your work. 2 [+to-v/v-ing: ] to fail (to do something), especially because of carelessness or forgetfulness: Don't neglect to lock the door/locking the door when you leave.
neglect2 n [U] 1 the action of neglecting: The tenants are complaining about the council's neglect of their property. 2 the condition of being neglected: The garden has fallen into a state of neglect. | The whole district had an air of abandonment and neglect.
ne-glect-ful /nr'glektfəl/ adj [(of)] in the habit of neglecting things; forgetful or careless: a father who is neglectful of his children (=doesn't give them enough attention and care) -->ly adv -->ness n [U]
neg-li-gee /'neglızer||,neglr'zeıt/ n a woman's light and usually fancy garment, worn over or in place of a NIGHTDRESS
neg-li-gent /'neglıdzənt/ adj 1 not taking enough care; neglectful: The report said the doctor had been negligent in not giving the woman a full examination. 2 apprec careless in a pleasant way; NONCHALANT: to dress with negligent grace -->ly adv -->gence n [U] The accident was caused by the gross negligence of the driver.
neg-li-gi-ble /'neglıdzəbəl/ adj too slight or unimportant to be worth any attention: The damage to my car is negligible. -->bly adv
ne-go-ti-a-ble /nr'gəufiəbəl, -fə-/ adj 1 able to be settled or changed by being negotiated: a negotiable contract | He says the price is not negotiable. 2 tech (of a cheque or order to pay money)