Etymology dictionary

neritic (adj.) — New Mexico

neritic (adj.)

"pertaining to or inhabiting water bordering coasts, down to 100 fathoms," 1891, from German neritisch (Haeckel, 1890), perhaps from Nerita, a genus of mollusks, from Greek nēritēs "sea-mussel," from Nērus, the sea-god (see Nereid). Compare benthos.

Nero

Roman emperor 54-68 C.E., born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, noted in history for his tyrannical and cruel disposition and moral depravity, the fire in 64 which destroyed much of Rome and which he was accused of setting, and his persecution of Christians. Related: Neronian; Neronic.

nertz (interj.)

also nerts, 1932, originally American English college slang, colloquial or euphemistic pronunciation of nuts as a slang retort of defiance or dismissal (1931).

nerve (v.)

c. 1500, "to ornament with threads;" see nerve (n.). Meaning "to give strength or vigor" is from 1749. Related: Nerved; nerving.

nerve (n.)

late 14c., nerve, nerf, "sinew, tendon, hard cord of the body" (a sense now obsolete), also "fiber or bundle of fibers that convey the capacity to feel or move from the brain or spinal cord to the body," from Old French nerf and directly from Medieval Latin nervus "a nerve," from Latin nervus "sinew, tendon; cord, bowstring, string of a musical instrument," metathesis of pre-Latin *neuros, from PIE *(s)neu- "tendon, sinew" (source also of Sanskrit snavan- "band, sinew," Armenian neard "sinew," Greek neuron "sinew, tendon," in Galen "nerve").

The secondary senses developed from meaning "strength, vigor; force, energy" (c. 1600), from the "sinew" sense. Hence the non-scientific sense with reference to feeling or courage, first attested c. 1600 (as in nerves of steel, 1869) and that of "coolness in the face of danger, fortitude under trying or critical circumstances" is by 1809. The bad sense "impudence, boldness, cheek" (originally slang) is by 1887. Latin nervus also had a figurative sense of "vigor, force, power, strength," as did Greek neuron. From the neurological sense come Nerves "condition of hysterical nervousness," attested by 1890, perhaps from 1792. To get on (someone's) nerves is from 1895. War of nerves "psychological warfare" is from 1915.

nerval (adj.)

"of or pertaining to a nerve or nerves, neural," 1630s, from Late Latin nervalis, from Latin nervus (see nerve (n.)).

nervation (n.)

"arrangement or distribution of nerves," especially in the blades of leaves, 1849; see nerve (n.) + -ation.

nerveless (adj.)

"destitute of strength, weak, characterized by lack of energy," 1735; see nerve (n.) + -less. Related: Nervelessness.

nerve-racking (adj.)

also nerveracking, "causing anxiety or mental stress," 1812, from nerve (n.) + present participle of rack (v.1). Between nerve-racking and nerve-wracking (1867) this is probably the better choice as a figure of speech, but the sense of wrack (v.), though less suitable in the image, is not obviously wrong.

nerve-wracking (adj.)

also nervewracking, 1867, from nerve (n.) + present participle of wrack (v.). See nerve-racking.

nervy (adj.)

c. 1600, "vigorous, sinewy, strong," from nerve (n.) + -y (2). By 1870 as "full of courage or fortitude;" by 1891 as "excitable;" by 1896 as "coolly impudent." Related: Nerviness.

nervose (adj.)

"having nerves," in any sense, 1753, from Latin nervosus "full of sinews or fibers," from nervus "sinew, tendon" (see nerve (n.)).

nervosity (n.)

early 15c., nervosite, "state of being full of nerves," from Medieval Latin nervositas, from Latin nervus (see nerve (n.)).

nervous (adj.)

late 14c., "containing nerves; affecting the sinews" (the latter sense now obsolete); from Latin nervosus "sinewy, vigorous," from nervus "sinew, nerve" (see nerve (n.)). The meaning "of or belonging to the nerves" in the modern anatomical sense is from 1660s.

From 1630s it was used (of writing style, etc.) in the sense of "possessing or manifesting vigor of mind, characterized by force or strength." But the opposite meaning "suffering disorder of the nervous system" is from 1734, hence the illogical sense "restless, agitated, lacking nerve, weak, timid, easily agitated" (1740). This and its widespread popular use as a euphemism for mental forced the medical community to coin neurological to replace nervous in the older sense "pertaining to the nerves." Nervous wreck first attested 1862; nervous breakdown 1866. Related: Nervously; nervousness.

nescience (n.)

"ignorance, a state of not knowing," 1610s, from Late Latin nescientia, from Latin nesciens "ignorant, unaware," present participle of nescire "not to know, to be ignorant," from ne "not" (from PIE root *ne- "not") + scire "to know" (see science).

nescient (adj.)

early 15c., nesciant, "ignorant; unwilling," from Latin nescientem (nominative nesciens) "ignorant, unaware," present participle of nescire "not to know, to be ignorant," from ne "not" (from PIE root *ne- "not") + scire "to know" (see science).

nesh (adj.)

"tender, delicate, weak, physically soft in texture," now a Northern England dialect word but it was common in Middle English, from Old English hnesce "soft in texture" (cognate with early modern Dutch nesch, Gothic hnasqus), of unknown origin. Related: Neshly.

ness (n.)

"point of land running into the sea," obsolete except in place names (Holderness, Dungeness, etc.) and surnames, Old English næs (West Saxon, Northumbrian), nes (Mercian, Kentish), "a promontory," related to nasu "nose" (from PIE root *nas- "nose"). Cognate with and probably partly from Old Norse nes, Danish næs; also Swedish näs, Middle Dutch nesse.

-ness

word-forming element denoting action, quality, or state, attached to an adjective or past participle to form an abstract noun, from Old English -nes(s), from Proto-Germanic *in-assu- (cognates: Old Saxon -nissi, Middle Dutch -nisse, Dutch -nis, Old High German -nissa, German -nis, Gothic -inassus), from *-in-, originally belonging to the noun stem, + *-assu-, abstract noun suffix, probably from the same root as Latin -tudo (see -tude).

Nessie

colloquial name of the "Loch Ness monster," by 1936; see loch.

nest (n.)

"structure built by a bird or domestic fowl for the insulation and rearing of its young," Old English nest "bird's nest; snug retreat," also "young bird, brood," from Proto-Germanic *nistaz (source also of Middle Low German, Middle Dutch nest, German Nest; not found in Scandinavian or Gothic), from PIE *nizdo- (source also of Sanskrit nidah "resting place, nest," Latin nidus "nest," Old Church Slavonic gnezdo, Old Irish net, Welsh nyth, Breton nez "nest"), probably from *ni "down" + from PIE root *sed- (1) "to sit."

From c. 1200 of an animal or insect. Used since Middle English in reference to various accumulations of things, especially of diminishing sizes, each fitting within the next (such as a nest of drawers, early 18c.). Nest egg "retirement savings" is from 1700; it was originally "a real or artificial egg left in a nest to induce the hen to go on laying there" (nest ei, early 14c.), hence "something laid up as the beginning of a continued growth."

nesting (adj.)

1650s, "making or using a nest," present-participle adjective from nest (v.). Of objects, "fitted into one another," from 1934.

nest (v.)

Middle English nesten, from Old English nistan "to build (a bird's) nests, to make or live in a nest," from Proto-Germanic *nistijanan, from the source of nest (n.). The modern verb is perhaps a new formation in Middle English from the noun. Related: Nested; nesting.

nestle (v.)

Middle English nestlen, from Old English nestlian "build a nest, make or live in a (bird's) nest," from nest (see nest (n.)) + suffix -el (3). Figurative sense of "settle (oneself) comfortably, snuggle" is recorded by 1540s. In Middle English also "take shelter as if in a nest." Related: Nestled; nestling.

nestling (n.)

"young bird, bird too young to leave the nest," late 14c., from nest (n.) + diminutive suffix -ling. Compare Middle Dutch nestelinc.

Nestor

name for a counselor wise from experience, or, generally, the oldest and most experienced man of a class or company, 1580s, from Greek Nestōr, name of the aged and wise hero in the "Iliad," king of Pylos, who outlived three generations. Klein says the name is literally "one who blesses," and is related to nostimos "blessed;" Watkins connects it with the root of the first element in nostalgia.

Nestorian (n.)

in Church history (mid-15c.), in reference to the doctrines and followers of Nestorius (Latinized form of Nestor), 5c. patriarch of Constantinople, whose doctrine attributed distinct divine and human persons to Christ and was condemned as heresy, which led to a schism. The Nestorians persisted for a time in Persia and nearby regions. From Late Latin Nestorianus, from Greek Nestōrios. Earlier Nestorine (c. 1400). As an adjective from c. 1500. Related: Nestorianism.

net (v.1)

early 15c., netten, "to capture in a net," from net (n.). Sense of "to make as a net" is by 1789. Related: Netted; netting.

net (v.2)

"to gain as a net sum, produce as clear profit," 1758, from net (adj.). Related: Netted; netting.

net (n.)

Old English net "open textile fabric tied or woven with a mesh for catching fish, birds, or wild animals alive; network; spider web," also figuratively, "moral or mental snare or trap," from Proto-Germanic *natjo- (source also of Old Saxon net, Old Frisian nette, Old Norse, Dutch net, Swedish nät, Old High German nezzi, German Netz, Gothic nati "net"), perhaps originally "something knotted," from PIE root *ned- "to bind, tie." But Boutkan says it has no clear IE etymology and implies it might be a substrate word.

From late Old English as "light, open woven fabric used as protection from annoying insects." From late 15c. as "light, open mesh bag for the hair."

net (adj.)

"remaining after deductions," early 15c., from earlier sense of "trim, elegant, clean, neat" (c. 1300), from Old French net, nette "clean, pure, unadulterated," from Latin nitere "to shine, look bright, glitter" (see neat (adj.)). Meaning influenced by Italian netto "remaining after deductions." As a noun, "what remains after deductions," by 1910. The notion is "clear of anything extraneous."

Net profit is "what remains as the clear gain of any business adventure, after deducting the capital invested in the business, the expenses incurred in its management, and the losses sustained by its operation" [Century Dictionary]. Net weight is the weight of merchandise after allowance has been made for casks, bags, cases, or other containers.

nether (adj.)

Old English niþera, neoþera "down, downwards, lower, below, beneath," from Proto-Germanic *nitheraz (source also of Old Saxon nithar, Old Norse niðr, which contributed to the English word, Old Frisian nither, Dutch neder, German nieder), from comparative of PIE *ni- "down, below" (source also of Sanskrit ni "down," nitaram "downward," Greek neiothen "from below," Old Church Slavonic nizŭ "low, down").

Also an adverb in Old English and Middle English. It has been replaced in most senses by lower (adj.). Of countries, "situated on lower ground" (late 14c.). In Middle English (and after) used also of body parts.

Netherlands

European nation along the North Sea west of Germany, from Dutch Nederland, literally "lower land" (see nether); said to have been used especially by the Austrians (who ruled much of the southern part of the Low Countries from 1713 to 1795), by way of contrast to the mountains they knew, but the name is older than this. The Netherlands formerly included Flanders and thus were equivalent geographically and etymologically to the Low Countries. Related: Netherlander; Netherlandish (both c. 1600). In German terms, Netherlander is contrasted with Dutch Overlander, German Oberländer.

nethermost (adj.)

"lowest, undermost," early 14c., from nether + -most. Nethermore (late 14c.) is now rare or obsolete.

netherworld (n.)

also nether-world, 1630s, "place beneath the earth," from nether + world.

netiquette (n.)

"proper style and manners in communicating on the internet," 1993, coined punningly from net, short for internet + etiquette.

netizen (n.)

"user of the internet," considered as part of the whole community of users, 1995, from net, short for internet + citizen.

nettle (v.)

c. 1400, netlen, "to apply nettles, to beat with nettles," from nettle (n.). Figurative sense of "irritate, provoke" is from c. 1400 (implied in nettled). Related: Nettling; nettler.

nettled (adj.)

"vexed, irritated," c. 1400, figurative adjectival use of past participle of nettle (v.).

nettle (n.)

"herbaceous plant of the genus Urtica, armed with stinging hairs" (also used of other plants of the genus and of nettle-like plants, generally with a qualifying word), Middle English netle, from Old English netele, from Proto-Germanic *natilon (source also of Old Saxon netila, Middle Dutch netele, Dutch netel, German Nessel, Danish nædlæ "nettle"), diminutive of *nato-, of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE root *ned- "to bind, tie." "[N]ettles or plants of closely related genera such as hemp were used as a source of fiber" [Watkins].

nettlesome (adj.)

"irritable," 1766, from nettle (n.) + -some (1).

network (n.)

1550s, "net-like arrangement of threads, wires, etc., anything formed in the manner of or presenting the appearance of a net or netting," from net (n.) + work (n.). Extended sense of "any complex, interlocking system" is from 1839 (originally in reference to transport by rivers, canals, and railways). Meaning "broadcasting system of multiple transmitters" is from 1914; sense of "interconnected group of people" is by 1934 in psychology jargon.

network (v.)

1887, "to cover with a network," from network (n.). From 1940 as "to broadcast over a (radio) network;" 1972 in reference to computers; by 1982 in reference to persons, "to interact with others to exchange information and develop contacts." Related: Networked; networking.

*neu-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to shout." It forms all or part of: announce; denounce; enunciate; nuncio; pronounce; renounce.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Greek neuo "to nod, beckon," Latin nuntius "messenger," Old Irish noid "make known."

Neufchatel

type of soft, white cheese, 1833, from Neufchâtel, small town in Normandy where it first was made.

neural (adj.)

"pertaining to a nerve or nerves, pertaining to the nervous system generally," 1830, from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + adjectival suffix -al (1). Related: Neurally. Compare nervous.

neuralgia (n.)

"pain corresponding to the distribution of a nerve," 1807, from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + -algia "pain." Probably formed on model of French névralgie (1801). Related: Neuralgic.

neurasthenia (n.)

"nervous exhaustion," 1854, medical Latin, from neur- (form of neuro- before a vowel) + asthenia "weakness" (see asthenia). Related: Neurasthenic.

neuritis (n.)

"inflammation of a nerve or nerves," 1825, from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + -itis "inflammation." Related: Neuritic.

neuro-

before vowels neur-, word-forming element meaning "pertaining to a nerve or nerves or the nervous system," from Greek neura "nerve" (Galen), originally "sinew, bowstring," also neuron "sinew, string (of a bow or musical instrument); cord; penis;" in plural "strength, vigor," from PIE *(s)neuro- "tendon, sinew" (see nerve (n.)). In Greek, puppets were neurospastos, literally "drawn by strings."

neuroglia (n.)

"connective tissue of the nerve centers," 1867, medical Latin, coined 1853 by German pathologist Ludwig Karl Virchow (1821-1902) from neuro- + Late Greek glia "glue," from PIE root *glei- "clay," also forming words with a sense of "to stick together" (see clay).

neurology (n.)

"scientific study of the form and function of the nervous system," 1680s, from Modern Latin neurologia, from Modern Greek neurologia (1660s), from neuro- "nerves, the nervous system" (see neuro-) + -logia "study" (see -logy). Related: Neurological (1755).

neurologist (n.)

"one who studies or is versed in neurology," 1801, from neurology + -ist.

neuron (n.)

"a nerve cell with its appendages," 1891, from German Neuron, from Greek neuron (see neuro-). Used earlier (1884) for "the spinal cord and brain, considered as one."

neuropathy (n.)

"disease of the nervous system," 1827, from neuro- + -pathy. Related: Neuropath; neuropathic; neuropathist.

neuropterous (adj.)

"having conspicuous nervation of the wings, net-winged," 1802; from neuro- + -pterous, from pteryx "wing" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly"). Linnaeus formed the Neuroptera as an order of Insecta in 1748.

neuroscience (n.)

"scientific study of the nervous system," 1963, from neuro- + science.

neurosis (n.)

1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system (not caused by a lesion or injury)," coined by Scottish physician William Cullen (1710-1790) from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Modern Latin -osis "abnormal condition." Originally of epilepsy, hysteria, neuralgia, etc. Used in a general psychological sense from 1871, "change in the nerve cells of the brain resulting in symptoms of stress," but not radical loss of touch with reality (psychosis); clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.

neurosurgeon (n.)

also neuro-surgeon, "one who does surgery on the nervous system," especially the brain and spinal cord, 1918, from neuro- + surgeon. Related: Neurosurgery; neurosurgical.

neurotic (adj.)

1775, "acting upon or stimulating the nerves," from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + -otic, as in hypnotic. Also compare neurosis. Meaning "relating to the nervous system" is by 1873. Sense of "affected by or prone to neurosis" is by 1887. The noun meaning "a neurotic person" is from 1896; earlier it meant "a drug acting on the nerves" (1660s). Related: Neurotically.

neuroticism (n.)

"state or condition of being neurotic," 1894, from neurotic + -ism.

neurotransmitter (n.)

"chemical substance which transmits an impulse from one nerve fiber to another or others," 1959, from neuro- + transmitter.

neuter (adj.)

late 14c., neutre, in grammar, of nouns, pronouns, etc., "neither masculine nor feminine in gender," also of verbs, "having middle or reflexive meaning, neither active nor passive," from Latin neuter "of the neuter gender," literally "neither one nor the other," from ne- "not, no" (from PIE root *ne- "not") + uter "either (of two)" (see whether). The Latin word is probably a loan-translation of Greek oudeteros "neither, neuter." From 1520s it also had the sense of "taking neither side" which now generally goes with neutral (adj.).

As a noun from mid-15c., "the neuter gender;" by 1797 of certain animals (among bees, ants, etc.) that are of neither sex and incapable of generation.

neuter (v.)

"castrate, render (a male) incapable of generation," 1893, in reference to dogs, from neuter (adj.). Related: Neutered; neutering.

neutrality (n.)

late 15c., neutralite, "neutral attitude or position, the middle ground" (also "the neutral party in any dispute," Caxton, a sense now obsolete), from Old French neutralite (14c.) or directly from Medieval Latin neutralitatem (nominative neutralitas), from Latin neutralis (see neutral (adj.)). Meaning "state or condition of being unengaged in a dispute or contest between others" is by 1560s.

neutral (adj.)

1540s, in alchemy, "composed of contrasting elements which, in proper proportion, neutralize each other," also, of states, rulers, etc., "refraining from taking sides in a fight, not engaged on or interfering with either side" (probably from a similar meaning of neutralis in Medieval Latin), from Latin neutralis, from neuter "neither the one nor the other, neither of two" (see neuter (adj.)).

By 1550s of persons. Chemistry sense of "exhibiting neither acid nor alkaline qualities" is from 1660s. From 1711 in the sense of "of or belonging to a power not taking sides in a war or conflict." Of colors, "of low chroma, without positive quality of color," from 1821. Neutral corner is from boxing (1908), indicating the two corners of the ring not used between rounds by the fighters and their seconds.

neutralize (v.)

1734, "to render neutral" (in a chemical sense), from French neutraliser (17c.), from neutral (see neutral (adj.)). Meaning "to counterbalance, render inoperative, invalidate" is by 1795; as an underworld euphemism for "to kill (someone)," by 1987. The intransitive sense "remain neutral" is older (1660s) but is now obsolete. Related: Neutralized; neutralizing.

neutral (n.)

mid-15c., "one who takes no part in a contest between others, one who has a neutral opinion," from Latin neutralis "of neuter gender," (see neutral (adj.)). Meaning "disengaged position in gear mechanisms" is by 1905.

neutralization (n.)

1747, "act of neutralizing" in any sense, especially by means of something having an opposite effect, from neutralize + noun ending -ation.

neutralise (v.)

chiefly British English spelling of neutralize (q.v.); for suffix, see -ize. Related: Neutralised; neutralising.

neutrino (n.)

"neutral particle smaller than a neutron," 1934, from Italian neutrino, coined 1933 by Italian physicist Enrico Fermi from neutro "neuter" (see neuter (adj.)) + -ino, diminutive suffix.

neutron (n.)

"electrically neuter particle of the atom," 1921, coined by U.S. chemist William D. Harkins (1873-1951) from neutral (adj.) + -on. First record of neutron bomb, which releases a large number of lethal neutrons but produces little blast, is from 1960. Neutron star attested from 1934, originally hypothetical; so called because it would be composed of densely packed neutrons.

Nevada

U.S. state (organized as a territory 1861, admitted 1864), named for the Sierra Nevada mountain range on its western boundary, which are literally the "snowy mountains," from fem. of Spanish nevado "snowy" (see neve).

neve (n.)

"field of granular snow, firn," 1843, from French névé (19c.), probably from Savoyard névi "mass of snow," from Latin nivem (nominative nix) "snow" (source of French neige), from PIE root *sneigwh- "snow, to snow" (see snow (n.)). Nivôse was the fourth month of the French revolutionary calendar, Dec. 21 to Jan. 19.

never (adv.)

Middle English never, from Old English næfre "not ever, at no time," a compound of ne "not, no" (from PIE root *ne- "not") + æfre "ever" (see ever). Early used as an emphatic form of not (as still in never mind). Old English, unlike its modern descendant, had the useful custom of attaching ne to words to create their negatives, as in nabban for na habban "not to have."

Italian giammai, French jamais, Spanish jamas are from Latin iam "already" + magis "more;" thus literally "at any time, ever," originally with a negative, but this has been so thoroughly absorbed in sense as to be formally omitted.

Phrase never say die "don't despair" is from 1818. Never Never Land is first attested in Australia as a name for the uninhabited northern part of Queensland (1884), perhaps so called because anyone who had gone there once never wished to return. Meaning "imaginary, illusory or utopian place" is attested by 1900 in American English. J.M. Barrie's use of the full form for the island home of the Lost Boys is by 1905.

never-ending (adj.)

also neverending, "perpetual, without end, everlasting," 1660s, from never + present participle of end (v.).

nevermind (n.)

also never-mind "difference, matter for attention," 1935, American English, from verbal expression never mind "forget it, pay no attention to it," originally never mind it attested by 1795; see never + mind (v.).

nevermore (adv.)

"no longer, not any more, never again," early 12c., from never + more (adv.). Also in Middle English as never-mo, never-the-mo.

nevertheless (adv.)

"notwithstanding," early 14c., neuer þe lesse; as one word from mid-14c., neuerþeles. The sense of never here is "not at all; none the," as in unmerged expressions such as never the wiser, never the worse. In the same sense Middle English also had never-less (early 14c.), neverthelater (c. 1200), never-later (late 14c.).

never-was (n.)

"person who never amounted to anything," 1911, from never + was; probably coined to go with used-to-be or has-been.

Nevin

surname and masc. proper name, from Irish/Gaelic Naomhin "little saint."

newness (n.)

"state or quality of being new," Middle English neuenesse, "something new-made, new doctrines, new spiritual life," from Old English neownysse; see new + -ness.

news (v.)

"to tell as news, report, rumor," 1640s, from news (n.). Related: Newsed; newsing.

news (n.)

late 14c., "new things," plural of new (n.) "new thing" (see new (adj.)); after French nouvelles, which was used in Bible translations to render Medieval Latin nova (neuter plural) "news," literally "new things."

The English word was construed as singular at least from the 1560s, but it sometimes still was regarded as plural 17c.-19c. The odd and doubtful construction probably accounts for the absurd folk-etymology (attested by 1640 but originally, and in 18c. usually, in jest-books) that claims it to be an abbreviation of north east south west, as though "information from all quarters of the compass."

The meaning "tidings, intelligence of something that has lately taken place" is from early 15c. The meaning "radio or television program presenting current events" is from 1923. Bad news in the extended sense of "unpleasant person or situation" is from 1926. Expression no news, good news can be traced to 1640s. Expression news to me "something I did not know" is from 1889.

News-agent "person who deals in newspapers" is from 1817. News-hound "reporter" is by 1908. The newspaper office news desk is by 1840. News-monger "one who employs much time in hearing and telling news" is from 1590s. The News in the Virginia city Newport News is said to derive from the name of one of its founders, William Newce.

new (adj.)

Middle English neue, from Old English neowe, niowe, earlier niwe "made or established for the first time, fresh, recently made or grown; novel, unheard-of, different from the old; untried, inexperienced, unused," from Proto-Germanic *neuja- (source also of Old Saxon niuwi, Old Frisian nie, Middle Dutch nieuwe, Dutch nieuw, Old High German niuwl, German neu, Danish and Swedish ny, Gothic niujis "new").

This is from PIE *newo- "new" (source also of Sanskrit navah, Persian nau, Hittite newash, Greek neos, Lithuanian naujas, Old Church Slavonic novu, Russian novyi, Latin novus, Old Irish nue, Welsh newydd "new").

From mid-14c. as "novel, modern" (Gower, 1393, has go the new foot "dance the latest style"). In the names of cities and countries named for some other place, c. 1500. Meaning "not habituated, unfamiliar, unaccustomed," 1590s. Of the moon from late Old English. The adverb, "newly, for the first time," is Old English niwe, from the adjective. As a noun, "that which is new," also in Old English. There was a verb form in Old English (niwian, neowian) and Middle English (neuen) "make, invent, create; bring forth, produce, bear fruit; begin or resume (an activity); resupply; substitute," but it seems to have fallen from use.

New Testament is from late 14c. New math in reference to a system of teaching mathematics based on investigation and discovery is from 1958. New World (adj.) to designate phenomena of the Western Hemisphere first attested 1823, in Lord Byron; the noun phrase is recorded from 1550s. New Deal in the FDR sense is attested by 1932. New school in reference to the more advanced or liberal faction of something is from 1806. New Left (1960) was a coinage of U.S. political sociologist C. Wright Mills (1916-1962). New light in reference to religions is from 1640s. New frontier, in U.S. politics, "reform and social betterment," is from 1934 (Henry Wallace) but associated with John F. Kennedy's use of it in 1960.

New Age (adj.)

1971, in reference to a modern spiritual movement, from new + age (n.). It had been used at various times at least since the 1840s.

newbie (n.)

"newcomer, new person to an existing situation," by 1969, from new with diminutive or derogatory suffix. Perhaps originally U.S. military slang. Compare noob. Middle English had newing "a new thing" (early 15c.); new was used as a noun meaning "naval cadet during first training on a ship" (1909); and newie "new thing" is recorded from 1946.

newborn (adj.)

also new-born, "just born or very lately born," c. 1300, from new + born. As a noun, "a newborn child," from 1879.

newcomer (n.)

"recent arrival, a stranger newly arrived," mid-15c., with agent noun ending + new-come (past-participle adjective) "just arrived," c. 1200, from Old English niwe cumen; see new + come (v.). Old English also used niwcumen as a noun meaning "newcomer, neophyte."

newel (n.)

mid-14c., nouel, nowel, "pillar from which steps of a winding stair radiate, stone cut to form a step and a section of the central pillar of a spiral stair," from Old French noel, noiel, novel "knob, newel, kernel, stone" (Modern French noyau), from Vulgar Latin *nodellus "little knot," diminutive of Latin nodulus, itself a diminutive of nodus "knot" (from PIE root *ned- "to bind, tie").

Klein's sources suggest the French word may be from Gallo-Roman *nucale, from Latin nux "nut." The carpentry meaning "tall and more or less ornamental post at the top or bottom of a staircase" is from 1833 (newel-post in this sense is from 1798).

New England

1616, named by Capt. John Smith. As an adjective, New English (1630s) is older than New Englandish (1863). Related: New Englander; the Latinized form Novanglian is attested from 1670s.

newfangled (adj.)

late 15c., "addicted to novelty," literally "ready to grasp at all new things," from adjective newefangel "fond of novelty" (mid-13c., neufangel), from new + -fangel "inclined to take," from Proto-Germanic *fanglon "to grasp," from nasalized form of PIE root *pag- "to fasten" (compare fang). Sense of "lately come into fashion" is recorded from 1530s. Fanglement "act of fashioning; something made" is from 1660s; neue-fangelnesse "fondness for novelty" is from late 14c. Middle English had gar-fangel "fish-spear."

newfound (adj.)

also new-found, late 15c., from new + found (adj.) "discovered."

Newfoundland

1585, from newfound + land (n.). In reference to a type of dog, from 1773. Related: Newfoundlander. Colloquial shortening Newfie for the inhabitants or the place is recorded from 1942.

Newgate

1596, in reference to the famous London prison, on the site of one of the seven gates in the old London wall (the main gate to the west); this one having been used as a lock-up since the 1100s. So called because it was thought to be more recent than the others (but it apparently dated to Roman times) or because it had been rebuilt at some point. The gate was demolished in the 18c.; the last prison of that name was torn down 1902-3.

Newgate frill, "a beard shaved so as to grow only under the chin and jaw," so called in allusion to the position of the hangman's noose, is by 1851. The author of "The Habits of Good Society" (1859) calls it "a kind of compromise between the beard and the razor."

Both Coleridge and Ruskin praised Thomas Hood's Newgatory.

newish (adj.)

"rather new," 1560s, from new + -ish.

New Jersey

named 1664 by one of the proprietors, Sir George Carteret, for his home, the Channel island of Jersey. Jersey girl attested from 1770.

newly (adv.)

Old English niwlice "lately, recently;" see new + -ly (2). Similar formation in German neulich, Danish nylig, Swedish nyligen.

newlywed (n.)

also newly-wed, 1907, from newly + wed. It probably owes its origin to a then-popular newspaper comic strip, "The Newlyweds and Their Baby," about Mr. and Mrs. Newlywed, by George McManus in the New York "World." As an adjective, newly-wed is attested from 1833. An earlier adjective was new-married (1530s). Ancient Greek had neo-zygos "newly married," literally "newly yoked."

new-made (adj.)

"recently made," c. 1400, from new + made. The verb new-make (1610s) probably is a back-formation.

New Mexico

U.S. state based on the former Nuevo México province of New Spain (later Mexico); the name traces to 1560s and is a reference to the valley of Mexico, around modern Mexico City (see Mexico). Annexed to the U.S. as a territory in 1848; admitted as a state in 1912.