N

nabob (noun)§
A person of great wealth or prominence. (MW)

A person of conspicuous wealth or high status. (NOA)

A person of wealth and prominence. (AHD)

A rich or powerful person. (CD)

A wealthy influential person. (CHM)

A very rich or important person. (BD)

A rich, powerful, or important person; any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person. (CDC)

One who returns to Europe from the East with immense riches; hence, any man of great wealth. (WUD)

In extended use, a wealthy, influential, or powerful landowner or other person, especially one with an extravagantly luxurious lifestyle. (OED)

nascent (adjective)§
Coming or having recently come into existence. (MW)
Especially of a process or organization:  Just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential. (NOA)
Emerging, just coming into existence.  Beginning to develop. (WN)

Coming into existence; emerging. (AHD)

Beginning to exist; recently formed or developed. (BD)

In the process of coming into being; in the early stages of development. (CHM)
Being born or beginning.  Describes the birth or beginning of something, like a civilization, a trend, an idea, or an action. (VC)

Only recently formed or started, but likely to grow larger quickly.  In the earliest stages of development. (CD)

Commencing, or in process of development; beginning to exist or to grow; coming into being. (WUD)

That is about to be born or is in the act of being born or brought forth.  In extended use, that is in the act or condition of coming into existence; beginning to form, grow, develop, etc.  Of an abstract concept, as a state, quality, practice, institution, etc.  Especially in nascent condition. (OED)
See:  inchoate

natives are getting restless, the (colloquialism)§

Humorous, the natives are restless and variants:  Trouble is brewing; there is discontent or dissatisfaction.  Now used to convey any collective hostility or disgruntlement, the phrase is sometimes associated with supposed attitudes of colonial or imperial rule. (OED)

Grok:  Colloquial phrase that means a group of people, often subordinates, onlookers, or those waiting for something, are becoming impatient, agitated, or dissatisfied with a situation.  It is typically used in a lighthearted or slightly sarcastic way to suggest that restlessness is building, often due to delays, inaction, or unmet expectations. The natives part no longer specifically refers to indigenous people but rather any collective group, like employees, an audience, or even friends waiting around.  For example, someone might say it during a long meeting, The natives are getting restless; better wrap this up!, or when a crowd starts grumbling at a delayed event.  The phrase keeps a hint of its original dramatic flair but is now more about everyday impatience than serious unrest. (Grok)

See note on The natives are getting restless

natter (verb and noun)§
verb

Talk casually, especially about unimportant matters; chat; chatter. (NOA)

To talk continuously for a long time without any particular purpose. (CD)

To talk idly; chatter. (AHD)

To chat busily. (CHM)

To talk about unimportant things for a long time. (BD)

Talk casually for a long time about unimportant things.  To talk idly and at length; chatter or gossip.  To chatter idly; talk on at length.  To find fault; scold.  To talk incessantly. (CDC)

Talk socially without exchanging too much information.  To talk at length about unimportant things.  To chatter or blather or jabber. (VC)

To find fault; to be peevish. (WUD)

To grumble, complain, nag (frequently with at); to fret.  Also in extended use.  To chatter; to chat aimlessly, idly, or at length.  Also with away, on.  Now the usual sense. (OED)
noun

A casual and leisurely conversation. (NOA)

Idle talk or conversation; chat. (MW)

Prolonged idle chatter or gossip.  A chat or talk.  A conversation. (CDC)

Chat. (BD)

An intensive chat. (CHM)

Friendly conversation without any particular purpose, or an example of this. (CD)

Grumbling, nagging talk.  A chat, an informal talk.  Chatter, aimless talk. (OED)

negotiation (noun)§

Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement. (NOA)

The process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement with them, or the discussions themselves. (CD)

A formal discussion between people who are trying to reach an agreement. (BD)

A discussion intended to produce an agreement.  A business-oriented conversation where two sides argue, discuss, and compromise to reach some agreement. (VC)

Treaty of business, whether public or private. (JDO)

The act or process of negotiating; a treating with another respecting sale or purchase. etc.  The transaction of business between nations; the mutual intercourse of governments by diplomatic agents, in making treaties, composing difference, etc. (WUD)

A discussion or process of treaty with another, or others, aimed at reaching an agreement about a particular issue, problem, etc., especially in affairs of state; an instance of negotiating.  Frequently in plural. (OED)

The effort to bring about an agreement between two or more parties, with all parties having the right to veto. (Jim Camp, Start With No)

Note:  Clearly the Camp definition is the most useful.  It is worth remembering that discussion, while often important, is but one aspect of a negotiation.  Camp refers to negotiation by the broader term, effort.

See:  counterpart, pain

neologism (noun)§

A new word, usage, or expression. (MW)

A newly coined word or expression. (NOA)

A new word, expression, or usage. (AHD)

A new word or expression or a new meaning of a word. (BD)

A new word or expression.  A new meaning acquired by an existing word or expression. (CHM)

A newly invented word or phrase.  The act of inventing a word or phrase. (VC)
A new word or expression, or a new meaning for an existing word. (CD)
A newly coined word, or a phrase or familiar word used in a new sense.  A new word or a new meaning for an established word. (CDC)

The introduction of new words, or the use of old words in a new sense.  A new word, phrase, or expression. (WUD)

A word or phrase which is new to the language; one which is newly coined.  The coining or use of new words or phrases. (OED)

neophilia (noun)§
Love of or enthusiasm for what is new or novel. (MW)
A tendency to like anything new; love of novelty. (CDC)

Love of novelty; obsessive keeping up with the latest fashions and trends. (CHM)

Love of, preference for, or great interest in what is new; a love of novelty. (OED)
neophiliac (adjective and noun):  Characterized by neophilia or a person characterized by neophilia. (OED)
neophobia (noun):  Fear or dislike of what is new; aversion to novelty.  Also, occasionally, an instance of this. (OED)
neophobic (adjective)
neophile (noun):  One who loves or has a strong affinity for anything new or novel. (WN)

neopronoun (neologism)§

A new pronoun, a word used instead of a noun or noun phrase, especially one that is intended to avoid using he or she. (CD)

A new category of factitious words, used in place of the pronouns she, he, or they, when referring to a person.  Some examples include:  xe/xem/xyr, ze/hir/hirs, and ey/em/eir.  Anyone can use neopronouns, but transgender, non-binary, and/or gender nonconforming people use them most often. (RM, adapted from UNCG)

Note:  I tried to find a straightforward definition of neopronoun, but all of them are nonsensical; here is an example and another.  The irony is that these people take themselves very seriously, and they truly believe that we should as well.  I have written on neopronouns here.

See:  cisgender, gender dysphoria, pronouns (declaring or stating)

newspeak (noun)§
Originally:  The artificial language used for official propaganda in the dystopia of Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.  Subsequently:  Any corrupt form of English; especially ambiguous or euphemistic language as used in official pronouncements or political propaganda.  Frequently derogatory.  (OED)

Propagandistic language marked by euphemism, circumlocution, and the inversion of customary meanings. (MW)

Deliberately ambiguous and contradictory language used to mislead and manipulate the public. (AHD)

Deliberately ambiguous and contradictory language use to mislead and manipulate the public. (VC)

The language of bureaucrats and politicians, regarded as deliberately ambiguous and misleading.  The deliberate use of ambiguous and deceptive talk, as by government officials, in an attempt to control public opinion; such language.  An official or semiofficial style of writing or saying one thing in the guise of its opposite, especially in order to serve a political or ideological cause while pretending to be objective, as in referring to increased taxation as revenue enhancement. (CDC)

Language used by politicians and government officials that is intentionally difficult to understand or does not mean what it seems to mean and is therefore likely to confuse or deceive people. (CD)

ninnyhammer (noun)§
Ninny; simpleton, fool. (MW)
A fool or simpleton; ninny. (CDC)

A simpleton. (JDO)

A simpleton; a silly person. (WUD)

A blockhead; a fool or braggart. (OED)

See:  mooncalf, numpty, pillock

See:  Note on Terms for Foolish, Silly, and Stupid

noetic (adjective)§
Of, relating to, or based on the intellect. (MW)
Relating to mental activity or the intellect. (OD)
Originating in the mind; mental perception. (WN)

Relating to activity of the mind. (CD)

The activity of the intellect.  Purely intellectual apprehension or perception. (CHM)

Of or relating to the mind, especially to its rational and intellectual faculties.  Of or having to do with the mind or intellect; sometimes, specifically, able to be understood only by the intellect.  Of or pertaining to the mind.  Originating in or apprehended by the reason. (CDC)

Of, relating to, originating in, or apprehended by the intellect. (AHD)

Of or pertaining to the intellect; intellectual. (WUD)

Of a process, faculty, etc., characterized by or involving intellectual activity or, more narrowly, intellectual intuition; of or relating to knowledge or the intellect, cognitive.  Of or relating to the act or processes of perceiving or thinking.  Of an object, idea, etc., apprehended by, or belonging to the realm of, pure intellect; purely abstract or intellectual, transcendental.  Given to intellectual speculation. (OED)

not cricket (British idiom)§

Something contrary to traditional standards of fairness or rectitude. (OD)

Not fair, polite, or proper. (MW)

Unfair, unsporting. (CHM)

If behavior is not cricket, it is not fair, honest or moral. (CD)

If you say that someone's behavior is not cricket, you mean that they have not behaved fairly. (CDC)

Cricket played in the correct manner or proper spirit; hence more generally, honorable dealings between opponents or rivals in any sphere; fair play.  Chiefly in negative contexts, denoting something contrary to traditional standards of fairness or rectitude. (OED)

Meaning for something to be dodgy, wrong, or unfair.  Based on cricket being a gentleman's game where fair play is expected. (Urban Dictionary)

Grok:  An idiom that comes from the sport of cricket, which is deeply tied to notions of fair play and gentlemanly conduct in British culture.  It means something is unfair, unsportsmanlike, or not done in the proper spirit of decency.  Think of it like saying that is not how the game should be played, it is a way of calling out behavior that goes against an unwritten code of honor.  For example, if someone cheats or takes advantage in a sneaky way, you might hear, That is simply not cricket.  It is a bit old-fashioned, but it still pops up in casual speech. (Grok)

See:  cricket

nugatory (adjective)§

Worth nothing or of little value. (CD)

Of no value or importance.  Useless or futile. (NOA)

Of little or no importance; trifling.  Unavailing, futile, or invalid. (AHD)

Worthless; trifling; valueless.  Ineffective; futile.  Invalid. (CHM)

Of little or no consequence; trifling, inconsequential.  Having no force; inoperative. (MW)

Of little value; trifling; worthless; of no real value.  Not valid.  Not operative; invalid.  Of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain. (CDC)

Trifling; futile; insignificant. (JDO)

Trifling; vain; futile; insignificant.  Of no force; inoperative; ineffectual. (WUD)

Trifling, negligible; of no intrinsic value or importance; worthless.  Invalid; inoperative; useless, futile, unavailing. (OED)

numinous (adjective)§

Mysterious.  Filled with a sense of the presence of divinity. (MW)

Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence, a numinous place.  Spiritually elevated; sublime. (AHD)

Having a deep spiritual or religious quality or connection. (CD)

Having a mysterious, holy, or spiritual quality. (BD)

Having a strong religious or spiritual quality; indicating or suggesting the presence of a divinity. (NOA)

Of or relating to or characteristic of a numen; evincing the presence of a deity.  Something numinous has a strong religious quality, suggesting the presence of a divine power.  You do not have to be in a strictly religious environment to experience something numinous; you might see the beauty of a painting or the melody of a song as numinous, if they communicate a spiritual vibe. (VC)

Things that are numinous seem holy or spiritual and mysterious.  Denoting, being, or relating to a numen; divine.  Arousing spiritual or religious emotions.  Mysterious or awe-inspiring.  Characteristic of a numen; supernatural; divine.  Having a deeply spiritual or mystical effect.  Like a numen; spiritual or supernatural.  Surpassing comprehension or understanding; mysterious. (CDC)

Of or relating to a numen; revealing or indicating the presence of a divinity; divine, spiritual.  In extended use, giving rise to a sense of the spiritually transcendent; especially of things in art or the natural world, evoking a heightened sense of the mystical or sublime; awe-inspiring. (OED)

Note:  There is a subtle but important distinction between the numinous, which may indicate or suggest the supernatural, and the actual supernatural.  This point was made here.

numpty (noun and adjective)§
A stupid or ineffectual person. (NOA)

A stupid or silly person. (CD)

A person lacking intelligence. (CDC)

An insulting word for someone who is stupid or not good at doing something. (LDOCE)

A fool, an incompetent. (Green's)
A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. (OED)
adjective:  Especially of a person, stupid, foolish, idiotic.  Examples:  numpty coppers, numpty ministers. (OED)

See:  mooncalf, ninnyhammer, pillock

See:  Note on Terms for Foolish, Silly, and Stupid

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