N's Flashcards
Narrative
Story, report, narrated account.
Nebula
A cloud of gas and dust in space. Nebulas can form star-forming regions - all the materials clump together to form larger masses, thus attracting further matter and ultimately creating stars. A nebula can also be a cloudy spot on a person’s eye, and nebulous can mean cloudy, unclear.
Net
Remaining after expenses or other factors have been deducted; ultimate; to bring in as profit, or to catch as in a net.
In one day of trading, my portfolio went up $10,000 and down $8,000, for a net gain of $2,000.
All those weeks of working weekends and playing golf with the boss ought to net her a promotion.
Nevertheless or nonetheless
However, even so, despite that.
While losing the P&G account was a serious blow, we nevertheless were able to achieve a new sales goal this moth because of the tireless efforts of the sales team in signing three new clients.
I really can’t stand working with you. Nonetheless, we’re stuck on this project together, and we’re going to have to get along.
Nontrivial
Important or big enough to matter; opposite of trivial.
The chief of staff told the assembled doctors, “We all make mistakes. But this mistake was nontrivial, and there is going to be an investigation.”
Normative
Implying or attempting to establish a norm; expressing value judgements or telling people what to do (rather than merely describing that which is happening).
The reason we are not understanding each other in this argument about grammar is that you are arguing normatively, telling me how people should talk, and I am simply reporting how people actually talk.
Nostalgia
Longing for the past.
The retail store Urban Outfitters uses nostalgia as a marketing strategy, branding many products with cartoon characters popular 10 to 20 years ago. Sure enough, many adult women do want to buy Jem or Spongebob t-shirts and lip balm.
Nuances
Subtle or delicate distinctions; small differences in tone, meaning, or expression. The adjective form is nuanced.
Your face looks the same whether you’re simply tired or whether you’re actually upset with me; the nuances are lost on me.
The mediator provided a nuanced summary of the debate, remaining accurate to the demands of both sides while minimizing differences wherever possible.
Nucleus
Structure within a cell containing the cell’s hereditary material; any central or essential part; core, kernel.
As a member of the President’s Cabinet, he found himself in the nucleus of power.