nex|us /ne ksəs/ (nexus ) N‑COUNT A nexus is a connection or series of connections within a particular situation or system. [FORMAL ] □ [+ between ] …the nexus between the dominant class and the State.
NGO /e n dʒiː oʊ / (NGOs ) N‑COUNT An NGO is an organization which is not run by the government. NGO is an abbreviation for 'non-governmental organization'.
NHS ◆◇◇ /e n e I t ʃe s/ N‑SING [N n] NHS is an abbreviation for National Health Service . □ This vaccine is not normally provided free under the NHS. □ …NHS patients.
nia|cin /na I əs I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Niacin is a vitamin that occurs in milk, liver, yeast, and some other foods.
nib /n I b/ (nibs ) N‑COUNT A nib is a pointed piece of metal at the end of some pens, which controls the flow of ink as you write.
nib|ble /n I b ə l/ (nibbles , nibbling , nibbled )
1 VERB If you nibble food, you eat it by biting very small pieces of it, for example because you are not very hungry. □ [V n] He started to nibble his biscuit. □ [V + at/on ] She nibbled at the corner of a piece of dry toast. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Nibble is also a noun. □ We each took a nibble.
2 VERB If you nibble something, you bite it very gently. □ [V n] John found he was kissing and nibbling her ear. □ [V + on/at ] Daniel Winter nibbled on his pen.
3 VERB When an animal nibbles something, it takes small bites of it quickly and repeatedly. □ [V n] A herd of goats was nibbling the turf around the base of the tower. □ [V + at/on ] The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork. [Also V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Nibble away means the same as nibble . □ [V P + on/at ] The rabbits nibbled away on the herbaceous plants.
4 VERB If one thing nibbles at another, it gradually affects, harms, or destroys it. □ [V + at ] …how best to compete with the overseas nations nibbling at our traditional markets. ● PHRASAL VERB Nibble away means the same as nibble . □ [V P + at ] Several manufacturers are also nibbling away at Ford's traditional customer base.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Nibbles are small snacks such as biscuits, crisps, and nuts that are often offered to you at parties. [mainly BRIT ] □ …crisps, nuts, and other nibbles.
ni|cad /na I kæd/ also ni-cad ADJ A nicad battery is a battery made from a combination of nickel and cadmium.
nice ◆◆◇ /na I s/ (nicer , nicest )
1 ADJ If you say that something is nice , you mean that you find it attractive, pleasant, or enjoyable. □ I think silk ties can be quite nice. □ It's nice to be here together again. □ We had a nice meal with a bottle of champagne. ● nice|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj, oft ADV after v] □ He's just written a book, nicely illustrated and not too technical.
2 ADJ If you say that it is nice of someone to say or do something, you are saying that they are being kind and thoughtful. This is often used as a way of thanking someone. □ [+ of ] It's awfully nice of you to come all this way to see me. □ [+ of ] 'How are your boys?'—'How nice of you to ask.'
3 ADJ If you say that someone is nice , you mean that you like them because they are friendly and pleasant. □ He was a nice fellow, very quiet and courteous. ● nice|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Mr Pearce was rather bowled over by his niceness, his concern and his ordinariness.
4 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are nice to people, you are friendly, pleasant, or polite towards them. □ [+ to ] She met Mr and Mrs Ricciardi, who were very nice to her. ● nice|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He treated you very nicely and acted like a decent guy.
5 ADJ When the weather is nice , it is warm and pleasant. □ He nodded to us and said, 'Nice weather we're having.'
6 ADJ [ADJ and adv after v] You can use nice to emphasize a particular quality that you like. [EMPHASIS ] □ Once they are a nice dark golden brown, turn them over. □ Add the oats to thicken the mixture and stir until it is nice and creamy.
7 ADJ A nice point or distinction is very clear, precise, and based on good reasoning. [FORMAL ] □ Those are nice academic arguments, but what about the immediate future? ● nice|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I think this puts the problem very nicely.
8 ADJ You can use nice when you are greeting people. For example, you can say ' Nice to meet you ', ' Nice to have met you ', or ' Nice to see you '. [FORMULAE ] □ [+ to-inf] Good morning. Nice to meet you and thanks for being with us this weekend. □ [+ to-inf] 'It's so nice to see you,' said Charles.
9 → see also nicely SYNONYMS nice ADJ
1
pleasant: I've got a pleasant little apartment.
delightfuclass="underline" It was the most delightful garden I had ever seen.
agreeable: …an agreeable surprise.
3
kind: I must thank you for being so kind to me.
helpfuclass="underline" James is a very helpful and cooperative lad.
obliging: He is an extremely pleasant and obliging man.
considerate: I think he's the most charming, most considerate man I've ever known.