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nostril - 6 dictionary results

nos⋅tril

[nos-truhl]
–noun
either of the two external openings of the nose.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME nostrill, OE nosterl, var. of nosthyrl, equiv. to nos(u) nose + thyrel hole; see thirl
nos·tril   (nŏs'trəl)   
n.  Either of the external openings of the nose; a naris.

[Middle English nostrille, from Old English nosthyrl : nosu, nose; see nas- in Indo-European roots + thyrl, hole; see terə-2 in Indo-European roots.]

Nostril

Nos"tril\, n. [OE. nosethril, nosethirl, AS. nospyrl; nos for nosu nose + pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for pyrhel, fr. purh through. ? See Nose, and Through, and cf. Thrill.]

1. (Anat.) One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares.

Note: In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called a spiracle.

2. Perception; insight; acuteness. [Obs.]

Methinks a man Of your sagacity and clear nostril should Have made another choice. --B. Jonson.
Language Translation for : nostril
Spanish: fosa nasal,
German: das Nasenloch,
Japanese: 鼻孔

nostril 
O.E. nosþyrl, lit. "the hole of the nose," from nosu "nose" + þyrel "hole," from þurh "through."

Main Entry: nos·tril
Pronunciation: 'näs-tr&l
Function: noun
1 : either of the external nares; broadly : either of thenares with the adjoining passage on the same side of the nasal septum
2 : either fleshy lateral wall of the nose

nostril nos·tril (nŏs'trəl)
n.
A naris.

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