PREFIX neo-
forms nouns and adjectives that refer to modern versions of styles and particular groups of the past. For example, neo-classical architecture is based on ancient Greek or Roman architecture.
neo|clas|si|cal /niː oʊklæ s I k ə l/ also neo-classical ADJ Neoclassical architecture or art is from the late 18th century and uses designs from Roman and Greek architecture and art. □ The building was erected between 1798 and 1802 in the neoclassical style of the time.
neo|lib|er|al|ism /niː oʊl I bərəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Neoliberalism is a form of liberalism that supports economic freedom and the free market. □ The key tenets of neoliberalism include privatisation and deregulation.
Neo|lith|ic /niː əl I θ I k/ also neolithic ADJ Neolithic is used to describe things relating to the period when people had started farming but still used stone for making weapons and tools. □ …neolithic culture. □ …the monument was Stone Age or Neolithic.
ne|olo|gism /niː ələdʒ I zəm, niɒ l-/ (neologisms ) N‑COUNT A neologism is a new word or expression in a language, or a new meaning for an existing word or expression. [TECHNICAL ] □ Some neologisms become widely used and enter the language.
neon /niː ɒn/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Neon lights or signs are made from glass tubes filled with neon gas which produce a bright electric light. □ In the city squares the neon lights flashed in turn.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Neon is a gas which occurs in very small amounts in the atmosphere. □ …inert gases like neon and argon.
neo|na|tal /niː oʊne I t ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Neonatal means relating to the first few days of life of a new born baby. □ …the neonatal intensive care unit.
ne o-Na zi (neo-Nazis ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] Neo-Nazis are people who admire Adolf Hitler and the beliefs of the right-wing party which he led in Germany from 1933 to 1945.
neo|phyte /niː əfa I t/ (neophytes ) N‑COUNT A neophyte is someone who is new to a particular activity. [FORMAL ] □ …a self-proclaimed political neophyte.
neph|ew /ne fjuː, ne v-/ (nephews ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's nephew is the son of their sister or brother. □ I am planning a 25th birthday party for my nephew.
nepo|tism /ne pət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Nepotism is the unfair use of power in order to get jobs or other benefits for your family or friends. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Many will regard his appointment as the kind of nepotism British banking ought to avoid.
nerd /nɜː r d/ (nerds ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a nerd , you mean that they are stupid or ridiculous, especially because they wear unfashionable clothes or show too much interest in computers or science. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Mark claimed he was made to look a nerd. □ …the notion that users of the Internet are all sad computer nerds.
nerdy /nɜː r di/ (nerdier , nerdiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as nerdy , you think that they are a nerd or look like a nerd. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …nerdy types who never exercise. □ …the Prince's nerdy hairstyle.
nerve ◆◇◇ /nɜː r v/ (nerves )
1 N‑COUNT Nerves are long thin fibres that transmit messages between your brain and other parts of your body. □ …spinal nerves. □ …in cases where the nerve fibres are severed.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] If you refer to someone's nerves , you mean their ability to cope with problems such as stress, worry, and danger. □ Jill's nerves are stretched to breaking point. □ I can be very patient, and then I can burst if my nerves are worn out.
3 N‑PLURAL You can refer to someone's feelings of anxiety or tension as nerves . □ I just played badly. It wasn't nerves.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Nerve is the courage that you need in order to do something difficult or dangerous. □ The brandy made him choke, but it restored his nerve. □ He never got up enough nerve to meet me.
5 PHRASE If someone or something gets on your nerves , they annoy or irritate you. [INFORMAL ] □ Lately he's not done a bloody thing and it's getting on my nerves.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone has a nerve or has the nerve to do something, you are criticizing them for doing something which you feel they had no right to do. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They've got a nerve, complaining about our behaviour. □ He had the nerve to ask me to prove who I was.
7 PHRASE If you hold your nerve or keep your nerve , you remain calm and determined in a difficult situation. □ He held his nerve to beat his opponent in five sets. □ We need to keep our nerve now.
8 PHRASE If you lose your nerve , you suddenly panic and become too afraid to do something that you were about to do. □ The bomber had lost his nerve and fled.
9 PHRASE If you say that you have touched a nerve or touched a raw nerve , you mean that you have accidentally upset someone by talking about something that they feel strongly about or are very sensitive about. □ Alistair saw Henry shrink, as if the words had touched a nerve. □ The mere mention of John had touched a very raw nerve indeed. SYNONYMS nerve NOUN 4
bravery: He deserves the highest praise for his bravery.
courage: They do not have the courage to apologise for their actions.
daring: His daring may have cost him his life.
pluck: Little companies are known for their pluck and perseverance, even in the face of a recession.