definitions

non-

|

a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather than the opposite or reverse of it, as often expressed by un-1): nonadherence; noninterference; nonpayment; nonprofessional.

RELATED CONTENT

Extra! Extra! Journalism Jargon ExplainedIn journalism, a slug is not a garden pest. Instead it's a short phrase summarizing the subject of an article, used to identify the story as it moves through the editorial process. What other Journalism jargon have you been confused by?
READ MORE
Can You Untangle These Regional Mix-Ups?Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

non rep., non repetatur, non seq., non sequitur, non troppo, non-, non-a hepatitis, non-a, non-b hepatitis, non-aggression, non-aligned, non-art

Origin of non-

prefix representing L adv. nōn not

Definition for non (2 of 3)

non obstante

[ nohn ohb-stahn-te; English non ob-stan-tee ]
/ noʊn oʊbˈstɑn tɛ; English nɒn ɒbˈstæn ti /

preposition Latin.

notwithstanding.

Origin of non obstante

short for Anglo-Latin, Latin nōn obstante aliquō statūtō in contrārium any statute to the contrary notwithstanding

Definition for non (3 of 3)

non placet

[ non pley-sit ]
/ nɒn ˈpleɪ sɪt /

noun

(especially in a church or university assembly) an expression or vote of dissent or disapproval.

Origin of non placet

First recorded in 1580–90, non placet is from the Latin word nōn placet it is not pleasing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for non

British Dictionary definitions for non

non-

prefix

indicating negationnonexistent
indicating refusal or failurenoncooperation
indicating exclusion from a specified class of persons or thingsnonfiction
indicating lack or absence, esp of a quality associated with what is specifiednonobjective; nonevent

Word Origin for non-

from Latin nōn not
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non

non-

prefix meaning "not, lack of," or "sham," 14c., from Anglo-French noun-, from Old French non-, from Latin non "not, by no means, not at all, not a," from Old Latin noenum "not one" (*ne oinom, from PIE *ne "not" + *oi-no-; see one). In some cases perhaps from Middle English non "not" (adj.), from Old English nan (see not).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for non

non-

pref.

Not:noninvasive.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.