Net Tracery, Arch. A simple and beautiful form of tracery of the Decorated period, consisting of a series of loops resembling the meshes of a net, each loop being quatrefoiled. An example occurs in the east cloister of Westminster Abbey.
Nete, Gr. The shortest string, or highest note, of the seven-stringed lyre. (See Mese.)
Netherstocks, O. E. The name given to stockings in the 16th century, as continuations of the trunk-hose or upper stocks.
Nethinim, Heb. (from nathan, to give). The servants of the priests and Levites about the Temple.
Nettle-cloth. A material made in Germany of very thick cotton, used as a substitute for japanned leather, on the peaks of caps, &c.
Network (filatorium opus). An ancient method of embroidery in England, used for church use or household furniture, by darning or working the subject upon linen netting. This method chiefly prevailed in the 14th century.
Neuma or Pneuma (lit. a breath). A musical passage consisting of a number of notes sung to one syllable, or simply to a sound, as “āh” prolonged. “In hujus fine neumatizamus, id est jubilamus, dum finem protrahimus, et ei velut caudam accingimus.”
Neutral Colour is that resulting from a combination of blue, red, and yellow, resulting in grey.
Neutral Tint. An artificial pigment used in water-colours, composed of sepia, and indigo and other blues, with madder and other lakes; producing a scale of neutral colours.
Neuvaines, Fr. Chr. Set prayers repeated for nine consecutive days.