Nan

¹ American  

[nan] / næn /

noun

1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.

2. a female given name.

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nan- ² American  

1. variant of nano- before a vowel.

   nanoid.

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nan British  

/ næn, ˈnænə /

noun

1. a child's words for grandmother

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Usage

What does nan- mean? Nan- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very small, minute.” In names of units of measure, it means "one billionth." It is very occasionally used in scientific and technical terms.Nan- comes from Greek nânos or nánnos, meaning “dwarf.”What are variants of nan-?Nan- is a variant of nano-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use nano- article.

Etymology

Origin of nan

see _nanny ; compare Greek nanna aunt, Medieval Latin nonna old woman

Example Sentences

"A host of corruption allegations in Chinese arms procurement led to major arms contracts being postponed or cancelled in 2024," Nan Tian, Director of SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, said in a statement.

From Barron's

“The trend is clear: In recent years, the excess return in the private market has been diminishing,” says Nan Zhang, global head of State Street’s private capital index.

From The Wall Street Journal

"They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said.

From BBC

Later, Nan, describing the type of play her mother favored when she first came to New York, allows Greenberg to indulge in some delectable self-irony.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was surprise upon surprise upon surprise, and then it turned into frustration and, eventually, anger,” his father, Nan Zhong, told The Times in a recent interview.

From Los Angeles Times