957
nothing
nos-tal-gia /nɒˈstældə||nɑː-/ n [U] a feeling of fondness for something in the past, often mixed with a kind of pleasant sadness: nostalgia for the clothes of the 1920s | The old song filled me with nostalgia. —gic adj: The film was a nostalgic re-creation of 19th century America. —gically /kli/ adv
Nos-tra-da-mus /ˌnstrəˈdɑməs||ˌnɑː-/ (1503–66) a French doctor and ASTROLOGER (=someone who studies the movements of the PLANETS and their influence on events) who wrote a book describing things that he believed would happen in the future. Some people believe that Nostradamus had special powers, and that his ideas about the future are correct.
nos-tril /ˈnɒstrɪl||ˈnɑː-/ n either of the two openings at the end of the nose, through which one breathes and smells → see picture at HEAD
nos-trum /ˈnɒstrəm||ˈnɑː-/ n derog a medicine of unknown contents (not one given by a doctor), which is claimed to be effective, perhaps falsely: (fig.) There is no simple nostrum for the problem of unemployment. → compare PANACEA
nos-y, nosey /ˈnəʊzi/ adj derog infml interested in things that do not concern one; tending to PRY: Our nosy neighbours are always watching us. → see also NOSE¹ —iness n [U]
,nosy 'parker n BrE derog infml a nosy person
not /nɒt||nɑːt/ adv 1 (used for changing a word or expression to one with the opposite meaning) a) (with verbs): We're not coming/We aren't coming. | If you didn't like it you were wrong not to say so. → see USAGE b) (with other words and expressions): not thirsty | not on Sundays | It's a cat, not a dog. | It's not a cat, but a dog. | Not everyone likes this book. (=some people don't like it) | The question is not at all easy to answer. | 'Do you want to go?' 'Not me!' (=I don't, though others may want to) | Not all her books have been as successful as this one. (=some have been unsuccessful) → compare NO 2 (used in place of a whole expression, often after verbs marked [+that]): 'Are you coming or not?' | 'Will it rain?' 'I hope not.' (=I hope that it won't rain) | 'Have you got £5 to lend me?' 'I'm afraid not.' | I'll try to come by nine, but if not, start the meeting without me. → compare SO¹ 3 especially pomp (used with negative words, especially those beginning with un- and words meaning 'small', 'slow' etc, to give force to the opposite meaning): a not uncommon problem (=a very common one) | not slow to complain, and not without good reason | He drank not a little (=drank a lot) of the wine. | It was not without its problems. 4 not a not even one: 'How much did this cost?' 'Not a penny!' (=nothing) | Not a (single) house was left standing after the earthquake. → see also NARY 5 Not at all rather fml (an answer to thanks or polite praise): 'Thanks for coming.' 'Not at all; I enjoyed it.' 6 not only ... but (also) ... (used to show a second choice as well as the first one): Shakespeare was not only a writer but (also) an actor. 7 not that although it is not true that: Where were you last night? Not that I care, of course. → see also not half (HALF³), not to say (SAY¹) 8 it's ... (Jim), but not as we know it spoken a humorous expression used in order to say that something is strange, unusual, or unexpected. This expression comes from the television show Star Trek. Mr Spock often says things to Captain Kirk like 'It's life, Jim, but not as we know it' when they find new creatures during their journeys through space: It's a museum, Jim, but not as we know it. | 'You made a cake?' 'Well, it's a cake, Lyn, but not as we know it.' | People are starting to do business on the Internet – it's commerce, but not as we know it.
USAGE Not can be shortened to n't after is, are, was, were, has, have, had, do, does, did, can, could, would, should, must, ought, need, may (BrE), might, dare (BrE), used (BrE). Shall not and will not can be shortened to shan't (BrE) and won't. Otherwise not is never shortened. → see also NO (USAGE), AIN'T
no-ta-ble¹ /ˈnətəbəl/ adj [(for)] deserving to be noticed or given attention; important or excellent; OUTSTANDING: notable events | a notable improvement | The area is notable for its pleasant climate. | Most of the directors are men, but Ms Parker is a notable exception. —bility /ˌnəʊtəˈbɪləti/ n [U]
notable² n [usually pl.] a famous or important person
no-ta-bly /ˈnəʊtəbli/ adv 1 especially; particularly: Many members were absent, notably the vice-chairman. 2 noticeably: notably higher sales
no-ta-rize || also -rise BrE /ˈnəʊtəraɪz/ v [T often pass.] fml (of a notary) to make (a written statement) official: to have a will notarized
no-ta-ry /ˈnəʊtəri/ also ,notary 'public n a public official with the power in law to witness the signing of written statements and make them official
no-ta-tion /nəʊˈteɪʃən/ n [C;U] the use of a system of written signs to describe and represent things, for example musical notes, formulas or ideas: a page covered with musical/mathematical notation
notch¹ /nɒtʃ||nɑːtʃ/ n 1 a V-shaped cut in a surface or edge: He cut a notch in the stick with a sharp knife. 2 infml a degree on a scale: a good book, several notches above anything else by this writer 3 AmE a narrow passage between mountains → see also TOP-NOTCH
notch² v [T] 1 to make a notch in 2 [(UP)] infml to win or record (a victory or gain): The team notched up their third victory in a row.
note¹ /nəʊt/ n 1 [C] also notes pl. — a record or reminder in writing: Make notes/Make a note of how much money you spend on the trip. | students taking notes in a lecture | The speaker forgot his notes so he had to talk from memory. 2 [C] a remark added to a piece of writing and placed outside the main part of the writing, e.g. at the side or bottom of a page, especially to give more information: I made some notes in the margin. | I really couldn't understand the text – I had to refer to the notes at the back. → see also FOOTNOTE 3 [C] a) a short usually informal letter: a thank-you note b) a formal letter between governments: a diplomatic note 4 [C] also bill AmE a piece of paper money: a £5 note → see also BANK NOTE 5 [C] also tone AmE — (a written sign representing) a single musical sound of a particular length and degree of highness or lowness: I can't sing the high notes. 6 [S(of)] a stated quality or feeling: There was a note of anger in her voice. | Although the company still has some difficulties, the director's report ended on an optimistic note. (=showing a hopeful feeling) 7 of note fml a) of fame or importance: a writer of (some/great) note b) worth noticing or paying attention to: Did anything of note happen at the meeting? 8 take note of to pay careful attention to: The committee has taken note of objections. → see also CLIFF'S NOTES, CREDIT NOTE, DEBIT NOTE, DELIVERY NOTE, MENTAL NOTE, compare notes (COMPARE¹), strike a note (of) (STRIKE¹)
note² v [T] fml 1 to notice and remember; OBSERVE: Note the way this writer uses the present tense for dramatic effect. | [+that] Please note that this bill must be paid within ten days. | [+wh-] Note how he operates the machine and try to copy him. 2 to call attention to; remark: The report notes with approval the government's efforts to resolve this problem.
note-book /ˈnəʊtbʊk/ n 1 a book of plain paper in which NOTES can be written: When I use my dictionary I jot down all the new words I learn in this little notebook. 2 a very small PERSONAL COMPUTER that is the size of a book
not-ed /ˈnəʊtɪd/ adj [(for)] well known, especially because of a special quality or ability: a noted authority on American history | a town noted for its cheeses | (humor) He's not exactly noted for his generosity. (=he is very mean)
note-let /ˈnəʊtlɪt/ n a small folded card usually with a picture on the front, used for writing a short letter
note-pad /ˈnətpæd/ n a small PAD for writing lists, messages etc
note-pa-per /ˈnəʊtˌpeɪpər/ n [U] paper for writing letters on; WRITING PAPER
note-wor-thy /ˈnətˌwɜði||-ɜr-/ adj (especially of things and events) deserving attention; NOTABLE: There's nothing particularly noteworthy in this report.
,not-for-'profit adj AmE for NON-PROFIT-MAKING
noth-er /ˈnʌðər/ AmE slang a whole nother a phrase meaning 'another', used for emphasis: Help yourself — there's a whole nother pie in the fridge.
noth-ing¹ /ˈnʌθɪ/ pron 1 not any thing; no thing: There's nothing in this box; it's empty. | I've got nothing to do. | Nothing ever happens in this town. | You'll have to have bread – there's nothing else (=no other thing) to eat. | We want you to tell us the truth – nothing more, nothing less. | There's nothing in these rumours. (=they are not true) | 'What's the food like at your school?' 'Nothing special.' (=not very