Neocori, Gr. and R. (1) Originally sweepers of the temple. (2) In early times applied to the priests in charge of temples. (3) Under the Roman emperors, to all Asiatic cities which had temples dedicated to an emperor; it occurs in this sense (Νεωκόρος) on the coins of Ephesus, Smyrna, and other cities.
Neoteric, Gr. Of recent origin; modern.
Nepaul Paper. A strong unsized paper, made in Nepaul from the pulverized bark of the Daphne papyracea. Sheets of this paper are sometimes made many yards square.
Nephrite. A mineral. (See Jade.)
Neptunalia. Festivals celebrated at Rome on the 23rd of July, in honour of Neptune. The people built huts of branches and foliage about the streets.
Nereids, Gr. Nymphs of the sea, who were the constant attendants of Neptune.
Nero Antico, It. Antique marble of Egyptian and other ancient statuary, of an intense black, probably the result of ages of exposure, as no marble of the same intensity of blackness is found in any quarries. Marble, called also nero antico, of two degrees of beauty, is quarried at Aubert (Girons) in France; and the mausoleum of Napoleon I. is constructed of this stone.
Nerved, Her. Having fibres, as leaves.
Nerves, Arch. The name is sometimes applied to the ribs and mouldings on the side surface of a vault.
Nessotrophium, Gr. A place in a Roman villa for breeding domestic ducks. It was surrounded by a high wall, on which was a high ledge with nests for the birds. A pond was dug in the middle of the enclosure, which was planted with shrubs.