n

N
    n 1: a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless
         odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78
         percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all
         living tissues [syn: {nitrogen}, {N}, {atomic number 7}]
    2: the cardinal compass point that is at 0 or 360 degrees [syn:
       {north}, {due north}, {northward}, {N}]
    3: a unit of force equal to the force that imparts an
       acceleration of 1 m/sec/sec to a mass of 1 kilogram; equal to
       100,000 dynes [syn: {newton}, {N}]
    4: (of a solution) concentration expressed in gram equivalents
       of solute per liter [syn: {normality}, {N}]
    5: the 14th letter of the Roman alphabet [syn: {N}, {n}]
    

N \N\, n. (Print.)
   A measure of space equal to half an M (or em); an en.
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N \N\ ([e^]n),
   the fourteenth letter of English alphabet, is a vocal
   consonent, and, in allusion to its mode of formation, is
   called the dentinasal or linguanasal consonent. Its commoner
   sound is that heard in ran, done; but when immediately
   followed in the same word by the sound of g hard or k (as in
   single, sink, conquer), it usually represents the same sound
   as the digraph ng in sing, bring, etc. This is a simple but
   related sound, and is called the gutturo-nasal consonent. See
   {Guide to Pronunciation}, [sect][sect] 243-246.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: The letter N came into English through the Latin and
         Greek from the Phoenician, which probably derived it
         from the Egyptian as the ultimate origin. It is
         etymologically most closely related to M. See {M}.
         [1913 Webster]
    

Valiant \Val"iant\, a. [OE. valiant, F. vaillant, OF. vaillant,
   valant, originally p. pr. of OF. & F. valoir to be worth, L.
   valere to be strong. See {Wield}, and cf. {Avail},
   {Convalesce}, {Equivalent}, {Prevail}, {Valid}.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Vigorous in body; strong; powerful; as, a valiant fencer.
      [Obs.] --Walton.
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   2. Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave.
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            A valiant and most expert gentleman.  --Shak.
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            And Saul said to David . . . be thou valiant for me,
            and fight the Lord's battles.         --1 Sam.
                                                  xviii. 17.
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   3. Performed with valor or bravery; heroic. "Thou bearest the
      highest name for valiant acts." --Milton.
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            [The saints] have made such valiant confessions.
                                                  --J. H.
                                                  Newman.
      [1913 Webster] -- {Val"iant*ly}, adv. -- {Val"iant*ness},
      {n}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

York use \York" use`\ (Eccl.)
   The one of the three printed uses of England which was
   followed in the north. It was based on the Sarum use. See
   {Use}, {n}., 6. --Shipley.
   [1913 Webster]
    

N
 /N/, quant.

   1. A large and indeterminate number of objects: "There were N bugs in
   that crock!" Also used in its original sense of a variable name: "This
   crock has N bugs, as N goes to infinity." (The true number of bugs is
   always at least N + 1; see {Lubarsky's Law of Cybernetic Entomology}.)

   2. A variable whose value is inherited from the current context. For
   example, when a meal is being ordered at a restaurant, N may be
   understood to mean however many people there are at the table. From
   the remark "We'd like to order N wonton soups and a family dinner for
   N - 1" you can deduce that one person at the table wants to eat only
   soup, even though you don't know how many people there are (see
   {great-wall}).

   3. Nth: adj. The ordinal counterpart of N, senses 1 and 2.

   4. "Now for the Nth and last time..." In the specific context
   "Nth-year grad student", N is generally assumed to be at least 4, and
   is usually 5 or more (see {tenured graduate student}). See also
   {random numbers}, {two-to-the-N}.
    

N

   <mathematics, programming, jargon> A {variable} typically used
   to stand for a number of objects.

   Used unqualified in speech it suggests a large, undetermined
   number, e.g. "There were N {bugs} in that {crock}!", or a
   number implied by context, e.g. "Let's get pizza for N + 1".

   [{Jargon File}]

   (2006-04-18)