[syn: N, n]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
N \N\ ([e^]n),
the fourteenth letter of English alphabet, is a vocal
consonent, and, in allusion to its mode of formation, is
called the dentinasal or linguanasal consonent. Its commoner
sound is that heard in ran, done; but when immediately
followed in the same word by the sound of g hard or k (as in
single, sink, conquer), it usually represents the same sound
as the digraph ng in sing, bring, etc. This is a simple but
related sound, and is called the gutturo-nasal consonent. See
Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 243-246.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The letter N came into English through the Latin and
Greek from the Phoenician, which probably derived it
from the Egyptian as the ultimate origin. It is
etymologically most closely related to M. See M.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
N \N\, n. (Print.)
A measure of space equal to half an M (or em); an en.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Valiant \Val"iant\, a. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant,
valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L.
valere to be strong. See Wield, and cf. Avail,
Convalesce, Equivalent, Prevail, Valid.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer.
[Obs.] --Walton.
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2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave.
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A valiant and most expert gentleman. --Shak.
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And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me,
and fight the Lord's battles. --1 Sam.
xviii. 17.
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3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. "Thou bearest the
highest name for valiant acts." --Milton.
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[The saints] have made such valiant confessions.
--J. H.
Newman.
[1913 Webster] -- Val"iant*ly, adv. -- Val"iant*ness,
n.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
York use \York" use`\ (Eccl.)
The one of the three printed uses of England which was
followed in the north. It was based on the Sarum use. See
Use, n., 6. --Shipley.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
N
n 1: a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless
odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78
percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all
living tissues [syn: nitrogen, N, atomic number 7]
2: the cardinal compass point that is at 0 or 360 degrees [syn:
north, due north, northward, N]
3: a unit of force equal to the force that imparts an
acceleration of 1 m/sec/sec to a mass of 1 kilogram; equal to
100,000 dynes [syn: newton, N]
4: (of a solution) concentration expressed in gram equivalents
of solute per liter [syn: normality, N]
5: the 14th letter of the Roman alphabet [syn: N, n]
The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
N
/N/, quant.
1. A large and indeterminate number of objects: ?There were N bugs in that
crock!? Also used in its original sense of a variable name: ?This crock has
N bugs, as N goes to infinity.? (The true number of bugs is always at least
N + 1; see Lubarsky's Law of Cybernetic Entomology.)
2. A variable whose value is inherited from the current context. For
example, when a meal is being ordered at a restaurant, N may be understood
to mean however many people there are at the table. From the remark ?We'd
like to order N wonton soups and a family dinner for N - 1? you can deduce
that one person at the table wants to eat only soup, even though you don't
know how many people there are (see great-wall).
3. Nth: adj. The ordinal counterpart of N, senses 1 and 2.
4. ?Now for the Nth and last time...? In the specific context ?Nth-year
grad student?, N is generally assumed to be at least 4, and is usually 5 or
more (see tenured graduate student). See also random numbers,
two-to-the-N.
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
N
A variable typically used
to stand for a number of objects.
Used unqualified in speech it suggests a large, undetermined
number, e.g. "There were N bugs in that crock!", or a
number implied by context, e.g. "Let's get pizza for N + 1".
[Jargon File]
(2006-04-18)