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nostril

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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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.]
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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Word Origin & History

nostril 
O.E. nosþyrl, lit. "the hole of the nose," from nosu "nose" + þyrel "hole," from þurh "through."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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