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nose
[nohz]
noun
the part of the face or facial region in humans and certain animals that contains the nostrils and the organs of smell and functions as the usual passageway for air in respiration: in humans it is a prominence in the center of the face formed of bone and cartilage, serving also to modify or modulate the voice.
this part as the organ of smell.
the sense of smell.
fragrances appealing to the nose.
anything regarded as resembling the nose of a person or animal, as a spout or nozzle.
the prow of a ship.
the forward end of an aircraft.
the forward edge of the head of a golf club.
a projecting part of anything.
the nose of a pair of pliers.
a faculty of perceiving or detecting.
to have a nose for news.
the human nose regarded as a symbol of meddling or prying.
Why can't he keep his nose out of my business?
the length of a nose.
The horse won the race by a nose.
the bouquet of an alcoholic drink, especially the distinctive aroma of a wine.
verb (used with object)
to perceive by or as by the nose or the sense of smell.
a cheese that could be nosed at some distance.
to approach the nose to, as in smelling or examining; sniff.
to move or push forward with or as with the nose.
The dog nosed its pup back into the yard. The boat nosed its way toward shore.
to touch or rub with the nose; nuzzle.
verb (used without object)
to smell or sniff.
to seek as if by smelling or scent.
The dogs nosed after their quarry.
to move or push forward.
to nose into the wind.
to meddle or pry (often followed by about, into, etc.).
They are always nosing about in other people's business.
verb phrase
to defeat, especially by a narrow margin.
The other candidates had been nosed out in the final returns.
to learn or discover, especially by snooping or prying.
to nose out a secret.
nose
/ əʊ /
noun
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract, consisting of a prominent structure divided into two hair-lined air passages by a median septum
the sense of smell itself: in hounds and other animals, the ability to follow trails by scent (esp in the phrases a good nose , a bad nose )
another word for bouquet
instinctive skill or facility, esp in discovering things (sometimes in the phrase follow one's nose )
he had a nose for good news stories
any part regarded as resembling a nose in form or function, such as a nozzle or spout
the forward part of a vehicle, aircraft, etc, esp the front end of an aircraft
narrow margin of victory (in the phrase ( win ) by a nose )
to carry out a vengeful action that hurts oneself more than another
informalto annoy or irritate someone
to stay out of trouble; behave properly
to work hard and continuously
to make someone do unquestioningly all one wishes; dominate someone
informalto be contemptuous or disdainful of
(of vehicles) moving or standing very close behind one another
slang
(in horse-race betting) to win only
I bet twenty pounds on the nose on that horse
precisely; exactly
bad or bad-smelling
informalto pay an exorbitant price
informalto pry into or interfere in
informalto thwart or offend someone, esp by supplanting him or gaining something he regards as his
informalto remind someone unkindly of his failing or error
informal
to be short-sighted; suffer from myopia
to lack insight or foresight
informalto behave disdainfully towards (something)
directly in front of one
without one noticing
haughtily
verb
(tr) (esp of horses, dogs, etc) to rub, touch, or sniff with the nose; nuzzle
to smell or sniff (wine, etc)
(intr; usually foll by after or for) to search (for) by or as if by scent
to move or cause to move forwards slowly and carefully
the car nosed along the cliff top
we nosed the car into the garage
(intr; foll by into, around, about, etc) to pry or snoop (into) or meddle (in)
Other 51Թ Forms
- noseless adjective
- noselike adjective
- unnosed adjective
- ˈԴDz adjective
- ˈԴDzˌ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of nose1
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of nose1
Idioms and Phrases
count noses, to count the number of people in attendance.
Each time the troop left an exhibit the leader counted noses.
on the nose,
precisely, correctly, or perfectly.
exactly on time.
We made it at ten o'clock on the nose.
(of a bet) for win only.
Australian Informal. decayed or putrid; stinking.
Australian Informal. distasteful or unpleasant; of doubtful validity or propriety.
hold one's nose, to repress feelings of distaste, repulsion, or offense for something that one is obliged to do.
He held his nose and voted for the bill.
follow one's nose,
to go forward in a straight course.
to guide oneself by instinct.
I found the house by following my nose.
look down one's nose at, to regard with disdain or condescension.
He had always looked down his nose at those who were poorer than he.
cut off one's nose to spite one's face, to create a disadvantage to oneself through one's own spiteful action.
rub someone's nose in, to persecute or tease someone persistently about; nag someone about.
I know I was wrong but you don't have to rub my nose in it.
pay through the nose, to pay an excessive price.
They patronize small and exclusive shops where they cheerfully pay through the nose.
keep one's nose clean, to behave oneself; avoid trouble or scandal.
Did he keep his nose clean after he got out of prison?
keep one's nose to the grindstone. grindstone.
lead (around) by the nose, to exercise complete control over; dominate totally.
He lets his brother lead him by the nose.
turn up one's nose at, to regard with contempt; scorn.
My friend turns up his nose at anyone who hasn't had a college education.
under someone's nose, plainly visible to; in full view of; in bold defiance of: Also under someone's very nose.
The theft took place right under the detective's nose.
put someone's nose out of joint,
to annoy or irritate greatly.
to supersede a person in another's regard, devotion, etc.
to thwart someone; spoil someone's plans.
Example Sentences
"I agree there is an issue of sorts and I see why it might put people's noses out of joint, but there has to be a compromise," she told the BBC.
Consider the infamous brown rats of New York City, which have evolved longer noses and shorter upper molar tooth rows, the better to enjoy the Big Apple's colder weather and higher-quality food.
It was all very impressive, but I kept thinking Philly — who travels nose to the ground, zigzagging through the world — would have been kicked out of class.
For all the calls for greater security at schools, this crime took place literally under the noses of armed gendarmes.
Itchy eyes, sneezing, dripping noses, scratchy throats and headaches are a common complaint.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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