Defn: Nothing. Nihil album Etym: [L., white nothing] (Chem.), oxide of zinc. See under Zinc. — Nihil debet Etym: [L., he owes nothing] (Law), the general issue in certain actions of debt. — Nihil dicit Etym: [L., he says nothing] (Law), a declinature by the defendant to plead or answer. Tomlins.
NIHILISM
Ni"hil*ism, n. Etym: [L. nihil nothing: cf. F. nihilisme. See
Annihilate.]
1. Nothingness; nihility.
2. The doctrine that nothing can be known; scepticism as to all knowledge and all reality.
3. (Politics)
Defn: The theories and practices of the Nihilists.
NIHILIST
Ni"hil*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. nihiliste. See Nihilism.]
1. One who advocates the doctrine of nihilism; one who believes or teaches that nothing can be known, or asserted to exist.
2. (Politics)
Defn: A member of a secret association (esp. in Russia), which is devoted to the destruction of the present political, religious, and social institutions.