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nail biting

 - 4 dictionary results

nail-bit⋅ing

[neyl-bahy-ting]
–noun
1. the act or practice of biting one's fingernails, esp. as the result of anxiety or nervousness.
2. Informal. nervousness: The announcement that the trade agreement had been signed ended a week of nail-biting on Wall Street.
–adjective
3. Informal. causing nervousness: The nail-biting part of the canoe trip was through the stretches of white water.

Origin:
1890–95


nail-biter, noun

nail-bit⋅er

[neyl-bahy-ter]
–noun
1. a person who bites his or her nails, esp. habitually.
2. a situation marked by anxiety or tension.
Also, nail biter.


Origin:
1970–75


nail-biting, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To nail biting
nail biter also nail·bit·er   (nāl'bī'tər)
n.  
  1. One who bites one's fingernails as a nervous habit.

  2. A situation marked by tense nervousness or apprehension, especially an athletic contest whose outcome is uncertain near its finish.

nail biting n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: nail–biting
Function: noun
: habitual biting at the fingernails usually being symptomatic of emotional tensions and frustrations called alsoonychophagia, onychophagy
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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