nosing

[noh-zing]

noun

Architecture.

1. a projecting edge, as the part of the tread of a step extending beyond the riser or a projecting part of a buttress.

nosing

/ ˈnəʊzɪŋ /

noun

1. the edge of a step or stair tread that projects beyond the riser

2. a projecting edge of a moulding, esp one that is half-round

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosing¹

First recorded in 1765–75; nose + -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nosing¹

C18: from _nose + _-ing ¹

Example Sentences

“Waiting on the End of the World” is the standout of the three choices, nosing ahead because there’s a great guitar line that winds through and both grounds and elevates the song.

From Salon

She was out shopping recently when a store employee told her she had seen an immigration agent nosing around the neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

"When mami was pulled out of the cellar I had customers coming around to me and looking and nosing at what was going on."

From BBC

But she didn't need Mama nosing around and making everything worse.

From Literature

The animal is poking her head through an aperture in her enclosure, nosing a thin computer monitor that’s displaying a livestock version of the “which one doesn’t belong?” game.

From Science Magazine