Nam, nam, n. an obsolete law term for distraint.—n. Namā′tion. [A.S. niman, pa.t. nam, to take.]
Namby-pamby, nam′bi-pam′bi, n. silly talking or writing.—adj. sentimental, affectedly pretty.—v.t. to coddle. [H. Carey's nickname for Ambrose Philips (1671-1749), from his childish odes to children.]
Name, nām, n. that by which a person or a thing is known or called: a designation: that which is said of a person: reputed character: reputation: fame: celebrity: remembrance: a race or family: appearance, not reality: authority: behalf: assumed character of another: (gram.) a noun.—v.t. to give a name to: to designate: to speak of or to call by name: to mention for a post or office: to nominate: to mention formally by name a person in the House of Commons as guilty of disorderly conduct.—adjs. Nam′able, Name′able; Name′less, without a name: undistinguished: indescribable; Name′worthy, distinguished.—adv. Name′lessly.—n. Name′lessness.—adv. Name′ly, by name: that is to say.—ns. Name′-plate, a plate of metal having on it the name of a person, usually affixed to a door or a gate; Nam′er; Name′sake, one bearing the same name as another for his sake.—Name the day, to fix a day, esp. for a marriage.—Call names, to nickname; Christian name (see Christian); In name of, on behalf of: by the authority of; Proper name, a name given to a particular person, place, or thing; Take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely. [A.S. nama; Ger. name; L. nomen.]
Nancy, nan′si, n. an effeminate young man, often a 'Miss Nancy.'—Nancy Pretty, a corruption of none so pretty, the Saxifraga umbrosa.
Nandine, nan′din, n. a small West African paradoxure, with spotted sides.
Nandu, Nandoo, nan′dōō, n. the South American ostrich.
Nanism, nā′nizm, n. dwarfishness.—n. Nanisā′tion, the artificial dwarfing of trees.—adj. Nā′noid. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. nanos, a dwarf.]
Nankeen, nan-kēn′, n. a buff-coloured cotton cloth first made at Nankin in China: (pl.) clothes, esp. breeches, made of nankeen.—Also Nankin′.
Nanny, nan′i, n. a female goat.—Also Nann′y-goat.
Nap, nap, n. a short sleep.—v.i. to take a short sleep: to feel drowsy and secure:—pr.p. nap′ping; pa.p. napped.—Catch napping, to come upon unprepared. [A.S. hnappian; cf. Ger. nicken, to nod.]