noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈneɪ.zəs/
General-American:/ˈneɪ.səs/
rhymes with (Received Pronunciation) -eɪzəs
rhymes with (General American) -eɪsəs
1
noun
Meaning 1
A horn-like elongated rostrum on the head of soldier termites of the subfamily Nasutiterminae, capable of producing and spraying noxious secretions for defense.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: biology, entomology, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A prolongation on the front of the head of a cranefly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: biology, entomology, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin nāsus (“the nose; the nozzle or spout”).