nous
[ noos, nous ]
/ nus, naʊs /
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noun
Greek Philosophy. mind or intellect.
Philosophy. (in Neoplatonism) the first and purest emanation of the One, regarded as the self-contemplating order of the universe.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of nous
First recorded in 1670–80; from Greek noûs, contracted variant of nóos “mind”
Words nearby nous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for nous
nous
/ (naʊs) /
noun
metaphysics mind or reason, esp when regarded as the principle governing all things
British slang common sense; intelligence
Word Origin for nous
C17: from Greek, literally: mind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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