英语词源字典 - 在线词源网站

narrowcast [narrowcast 词源字典]: "Transmit a television programme, especially by cable, or otherwise disseminate information, to a comparatively localized or specialist audience", 1930s: back-formation from narrowcasting, on the pattern of broadcasting.[narrowcast etymology, narrowcast origin, 英语词源]
nom de guerre: "An assumed name under which a person engages in combat or some other activity or enterprise", French, literally 'war name'.
novennial: "Recurring every nine years", Mid 17th century: from late Latin novennis 'nine years old' (from Latin novem 'nine') + -al.
nectary: "A nectar-secreting glandular organ in a flower (floral) or on a leaf or stem (extrafloral)", Mid 18th century: from modern Latin nectarium, from nectar (see nectar).
nymphaeum: "A grotto or shrine dedicated to a nymph or nymphs", Via Latin from Greek.
napery: "Household linen, especially tablecloths and napkins", Middle English: from Old French naperie, from nape 'tablecloth'.
nong: "A foolish or stupid person (often as a general term of abuse)", 1940s: of unknown origin.
nooky: "Sexual activity or intercourse", Early 20th century: perhaps from nook.
non-U: "(Of language or social behaviour) not characteristic of the upper social classes; not socially acceptable to certain people", 1950s: from non- + U³.
niqab: "A veil worn by some Muslim women in public, covering all of the face apart from the eyes", Arabic niqāb.
ngoma: "(In East Africa) a dance; a night of dancing and music", Kiswahili, literally 'drum, dance, music'.
never-never land: "An imaginary utopian place or situation", Early 20th century: often with allusion to the ideal country in J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan.
ning-nong: "A fool", Mid 19th century: of unknown origin.
nubuck: "Cowhide leather that has been rubbed on the outer side of the hide to give it a feel like that of suede", Early 20th century: origin obscure, perhaps a respelling of new + buck¹.
nawab: "A native governor during the time of the Mogul empire", From Urdu nawwāb, variant of Arabic nuwwāb, plural (used as singular) of nā'ib 'deputy'; compare with nabob.
nitrify: "Convert (ammonia or another nitrogen compound) into nitrites or nitrates", Early 19th century: from French nitrifier.
noddle (1): "A person’s head", Late Middle English (denoting the back of the head): of unknown origin.
noddle (2): "Nod or wag (one’s head)", Mid 18th century: frequentative of the verb nod.
nickel-and-dime: "Harass (someone) by charging for many trivial items or services", Late 19th century: originally denoting a shop selling articles costing five or ten cents.
nu: "The thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ν, ν), transliterated as ‘n’", Greek.