14 CONVENTION Not at all is an emphatic way of saying 'No' or of agreeing that the answer to a question is 'No'. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Sorry. I sound like Abby, don't I?'—'No. Not at all.' □ 'You don't think that you've betrayed your country.'—'No I don't. No, not at all.'
15 CONVENTION Not at all is a polite way of acknowledging a person's thanks. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Thank you very much for speaking with us.'—'Not at all.'
16 not half → see half
17 if not → see if
18 not least → see least
19 not to mention → see mention
20 nothing if not → see nothing
21 more often than not → see often
no|table /noʊ təb ə l/ ADJ Someone or something that is notable is important or interesting. □ [+ for ] The proposed new structure is notable not only for its height, but for its shape. □ With a few notable exceptions, doctors are a pretty sensible lot.
no|tably /noʊ təbli/
1 ADV You use notably to specify an important or typical example of something that you are talking about. □ More important problems, notably the fate of the children, had to be decided. □ It was a question of making sure certain needs were addressed, notably in the pensions area.
2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use notably to emphasize a particular quality that someone or something has. [EMPHASIS ] □ Old established friends are notably absent, so it's a good opportunity to make new contacts.
no|ta|ry /noʊ təri/ (notaries ) N‑COUNT A notary or a notary public is a person, usually a lawyer, who has legal authority to witness the signing of documents in order to make them legally valid.
no|ta|tion /noʊte I ʃ ə n/ (notations ) N‑VAR A system of notation is a set of written symbols that are used to represent something such as music or mathematics. □ Musical notation was conceived for the C major scale. □ …some other abstract notation system like a computer language.
notch /nɒ tʃ/ (notches , notching , notched )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to a level on a scale of measurement or achievement as a notch . [JOURNALISM ] □ Average earnings in the economy moved up another notch in August. □ In this country the good players are pulled down a notch or two.
2 VERB If you notch a success, especially in a sporting contest, you achieve it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] The President is keen to notch a political triumph that would foster freer world trade and faster economic growth.
3 N‑COUNT A notch is a small V-shaped or circular cut in the surface or edge of something. □ [+ in ] They cut notches in the handle of their pistol for each man they shot.
4 → see also top-notch
▸ notch up PHRASAL VERB If you notch up something such as a score or total, you achieve it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P n] He had notched up more than 25 victories worldwide. [Also V n P ]
note ◆◆◇ /noʊ t/ (notes , noting , noted )
1 N‑COUNT A note is a short letter. □ Stevens wrote him a note asking him to come to his apartment. □ [+ for ] I'll have to leave a note for Karen.
2 N‑COUNT A note is something that you write down to remind yourself of something. □ I knew that if I didn't make a note I would forget. □ Take notes during the consultation as the final written report is very concise.
3 N‑COUNT In a book or article, a note is a short piece of additional information. □ See Note 16 on page p. 223.
4 N‑COUNT A note is a short document that has to be signed by someone and that gives official information about something. □ Since Mr Bennett was going to need some time off work, he asked for a sick note. □ I've got half a ton of gravel in the lorry but he won't sign my delivery note.
5 N‑COUNT You can refer to a banknote as a note . [BRIT ] □ Her husband received a telephone call ordering him to collect £ 40,000 in used notes. □ …a five pound note. in AM, use bill 6 N‑COUNT In music, a note is the sound of a particular pitch, or a written symbol representing this sound. □ She has a deep voice and doesn't even try for the high notes.
7 N‑SING You can use note to refer to a particular quality in someone's voice that shows how they are feeling. □ [+ of ] There is an unmistakable note of nostalgia in his voice. □ [+ of ] It was not difficult for him to catch the note of bitterness in my voice.
8 N‑SING You can use note to refer to a particular feeling, impression, or atmosphere. □ [+ of ] Yesterday's testimony began on a note of passionate but civilized disagreement. □ [+ of ] Somehow he tells these stories without a note of horror. □ The furniture strikes a traditional note which is appropriate to its Edwardian setting.
9 VERB If you note a fact, you become aware of it. □ [V n] The White House has noted his promise to support any attack that was designed to enforce the U.N. resolutions. □ [V that] Suddenly, I noted that the rain had stopped. □ [V wh] Haig noted how he 'looked pinched and rather tired'.
10 VERB If you tell someone to note something, you are drawing their attention to it. □ [V n] Note the statue to Sallustio Bandini, a prominent Sienese. □ [V that] Please note that there are a limited number of tickets.