nephrorrhagia 
nephrorrhagia (nef-ro-ra'jUi), . |A'l'-. <Gr. 
vtfyx'ir, :i kidney, + -/>;/, <! />//; mw, break.] 
Renal hetnorrlm;^. 
nephrorrhaphy (nef-ror'a-fi), . [< Or. vrtyxif, 
a kidney, + /<?/, a sewing, < paimev, sew.] 
The N) it diing of u (movable) kidney to the lum- 
luir iil)iliiiniii:il parictes. 
nephrostoma (nef-ros'M-m|). n. ; pi. 
ulnninlii (nef-ros-to'mii-tii). [NL., < Gr. 
a kidney, + arofia, month.] One of the ciliated 
infiindiliuhirorifices of a primitive kidney. See 
pl'lHlt'Jlltl'lltl. 
nephrostome (nef'ro-stom), n. Same as nc- 
pnrostoma. 
nephrostomous (nef-ros'to-mus), a. Of orper- 
taming to a nephrostoma. 
nephrotomy (nef-rot'o-rai), M. [< Or. vr+p6t, a 
kidney,+ -rofiia, (.Tiftveiv, raficiv, cut.] Insura., 
the operation of incising the kidney, as for the 
extraction of a calculus. 
nephrqzymose (nef-ro-zl'mos), . [< Gr. ve- 
tyj'if, kidney, + E. zymose.] A diastatic ferment 
occurring in urine. 
Nephthyidae (nef-thi'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Neph- 
ihiin + -Ma:] A family of annelids, typified by 
the genus Nephthu.t. They have similar rings, a very 
large proboscis, and the bronchia; In the form of a slcklc- 
shaped process between the foliaceous lobes of the legs. 
They live chiefly In the sand of the sea-shore. 
Nephthys (nef'this), . [NL.] The typical ge- 
nus of Ncjik thyidte. N. cieca is a British species, 
the white-rag worm, also known as the lurg and 
the hairybait. 
Nepidae (nep'i-de), n. pi. [NL. (Leach, 1818), 
< Nepa + -ida;.] A family of aquatic heterop- 
terous insects of the order Hemiptera, typified 
by the genus Netm ; the water-scorpions. They 
have a flattened elliptical or oval form, and ambulatory 
as well as natatory legs, with the fore femora enlarged and 
channeled to receive the fore tiblie and tarsi, which fold 
into them. The abdomen ends In a pair of channeled 
stylets which unite to form a respiratory tube. The nar- 
row head bears prominent eyes, and the membranous and 
corious parU of the wing-covers are well distinguished. 
Three genera are recognized. 
ne plus ultra (ne plus ul'trft). [L., no further: 
nc, no, not ; phis (compar. o? mult its), more ; ul- 
tra, beyond.] Not (anything) more beyond; 
the extreme or utmost point; completeness; 
perfection. 
ncpos, . See ncpus. 
nepotal (nep'o-tal), a. [< L. nepos (nepot-), a 
grandson, a nephew: see nephew.] Of or per- 
taining to a nephew or nephews. Gentleman's 
Mag. 
nepotic (ne-pot'ik), a. [< L. nepos (nepot-), a 
grandson, a nephew: see nephew. Cf. nrpotism.] 
Of or belonging to nepotism ; practising or dis- 
playing nepotism. 
The nepotic ambition of the ruling pontiff. MQman. 
nepotious (ne-po'shus), a. [< L. nepos (nepot-), 
a grandson, a nephew : see nepotal, etc.] Over- 
foud of nephews and other relatives; nepotic. 
We may use the epithet nepotimtt for those who carry 
this fondness to the extent of doting, and, as expressing 
that degree of fondness, it may be applied to William 
Dove ; he was a nepotitnut uncle. 
Southey, The Doctor, x. (Davia.) 
nepotism (nep'o-tizm), M. [= F. nepotism* = 
Sp. Pg. It. nepotismo, < NL. tiettotismus, < L. 
uepos (nepot-), a grandson, a nephew : see neph- 
ew.] Favoritism shown to nephews and other 
relatives ; patronage bestowed in consideration 
of family relationship and not of merit. The 
word was invented to characterize a propensity of the popes 
and other high ecclesiastics In the Roman Catholic Church 
to aggrandize their family by exorbitant grants or favors 
to nephews or relatives. 
To this humour of Nepotism Rome owes its present splen- 
dour. Addwon. 
nepotist (nep'o-tist), n. [< nepot-ism + -ist.] 
One who practises nepotism. 
Were they to submit . . . to he accused of Nepotism by 
Xepotistt? . . . The real disgrace would have been to have 
submitted to this. 
Sydney Smith, To Archd. Singleton. (Dairies.) 
neppy (nrp'i), a. [< <V' 3 + -S 1 -] Nepped, as 
c-c it ton-fiber. Spoils' KIICI/C. Manttf., I. 748. 
neptet, A Middle English form of r/< ] . 
Nepticula (nep-tik'u-la), n. [NL. (Von Hey- 
den, 1842), < LL. ncp'ticitla, granddaughter, dim. 
of ncptis, a granddaughter: see niece.] A ge- 
nus of microlepidopterous moths, giving name 
to the family .\'< /ilii'iili/lir. There are several spe- 
rii*^ :i-- .V. tttirfiia. A". \-iJ<-iulix*inui, and-tV. microtherieUa, 
all aiming the smallest of the tineids. The larva:, as far as 
known, an nil Icnf-minen. 
Nepticulidae (nep-ti-ku'li-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Nepticula + -iilir.] A family of microlepidop- 
terous insects, typified by the genus 
3969 
Neptune (nep'tun), n. [= F. XrplHiir = Sp. 
I'K. Si'ptunn = It. Nettuno, < L. \i-ptiiiiuit, :i 
sea-god: see def.] 1. In Rum. myth., the god 
of the sea, who came to be identified by the 
Komans themselves with the Greek Poseidon, 
whose attributes were transferred by the poets 
to the ancient Latin deity, in art Neptune is usu- 
ally represented as a bearded man of staU'Iy pi < 
with the trident as his chief attribute, and the horse ami 
the dolphin as symbols. 
2. Figuratively, the ocean. 
Ye that on the sands with prlntless foot 
Do chase the ebbing Neptune. 
Shot., Tempest, v. 1. 35. 
3. In her., same as Triton. 4. The outermost 
known planet of the solar svstem, and the third 
in volume and mass, though quite invisible to 
the naked eye. It was discovered in the autumn of 
1846. Uranus, the planet next to Neptune, revolving about 
the sun In eighty-four years, was discovered In 1781 ; but 
observations of it as a fixed star were scattered through 
the eighteenth century. In 1821 Bouvard found that the 
observations of Uranus could not be satisfied by any theory 
based on the gravitation of known bodies, and hinted at an 
undiscovered planet. During the following twenty years 
further observations satisfied astronomers that such a 
planet must exist. To find where it could be was the prob- 
lem which two mathematicians, J. C. Adams in England 
and U. J. J. Leverrier In France, set themselves to solve 
by mathematics. The calculations of Leverrier assigned 
the boundaries of a not very large region within which the 
unknown planet might be. In consequence of the Indica- 
tions of Adams, the astronomer Challis observed the planet 
Neptune Auguat4th and 12th, 1846, but, neglecting to work 
up his observations, failed to recognize it as a planet ; 
while, in consequence of the Indications of Leverrier, 
Galle of Berlin discovered Neptune September '23d, 1846. 
The orbit of the new planet, having been determined from 
direct observations, was found to differ excessively from 
the predictions in all its elements ; so much so that Lever- 
rier declared these elements "Incompatible with the na- 
ture of the irregular perturbations of Uranus." The dis- 
tance from the sun was 30 times instead of 36 times that of 
the earth, as predicted : and the orbit, instead of being 
more elliptical than that of any planet except Mercury, 
was In fact the most circular of all. When Neptune was 
discovered by Dr. Galle it was only 1 from the predicted 
place : but this would not have been so at the epoch to 
which the calculations referred, and there was nothing in 
their nature to render them particularly accurate for 1846, 
so that this coincidence must be regarded as in great mea- 
sure a happy accident, such as would occur by mere chance 
once in 180 times. A satellite to Neptune was detected 
in October, 1846, by Lassell. Its period of revolution Is 5 
days, 21 hours, and 8 minutes, and its maximum elonga- 
tion 18". The mass of Neptune, having been calculated 
from these data, was found to be ,!,, that of the sun, 
against predicted values nearly twice as great With the 
mass so ascertained, the perturbing action upon Uranus 
was calculated, and found to satisfy the observations of 
that planet much better than either Leverrier's or Adams's 
hypothesis had done. This was because the real action of 
Neptune upon the orbit of Uranus was of a different kind 
from what it had been assumed to be, those terms of the 
mathematical expressions which had been assumed to be 
the principal ones being really insignificant, and those 
which had been neglected as insignificant being really the 
controlling ones. The name Neptune was conferred by 
Encke, Leverrier having signified that he wished it called 
by his own name. The diameter of Neptune is 37,000 
miles. Its distance from the sun is about 2,800,000,000 
miles, and its period of revolution about 164 years. Nep- 
tune's horse, a fish of the family Hippocampida ; a 
sea-horse. Neptune's ruffles, a retepore. Neptune's 
spoon worm, a gephyrean, Thalaetema neptuni. 
Neptunian (nep-tu'ni-an), a. [< L. Neptunius, 
pertaining to Neptune, marine, < Neptunus, 
Neptune : see Neptune. ] 1 . Pertaining to Nep- 
tune, the god of the sea, or to the ocean or sea 
itself. 2. In geol., formed by water or in its 
presence. The word is used especially to designate an 
aqueous origin of certain formations, now generally ad- 
mitted to be volcanic, but which according to the views of 
Werner were deposited from water. (See llvttnnian and 
Wernerfan.) A most violent discussion in regard to this 
subject was carried on, during the latter third of the 
eighteenth century, by geologists and theologians. 
Neptunist (uep'tun-ist), n. and . [< Stptmte 
+ -int.] I. n. If. A navigator; a seaman. 
Let the brave englner, fine Daedalist, skilful NeptmtM, 
marvelous Vulcanlst, and every Mercurial! occupationer 
... be respected. Homey, Herce's Supererogation. 
2. In geol., an advocate of or believer in the 
Neptunian theory; an opponent of the Vulcan- 
ists. 
Whenever a zealous jfrptnnut wished to draw the old 
man [Desmarest] into an argument, he was satisfied with 
replying " Go and see." 
Sir C. LyeU, Prin. of Geol. (ed. 18S6), L 87. 
II. a. Of, pertaining to, or advocating the 
Neptunian theory. 
For the untenable Xrptunixt hypothesis, asserting a 
once-universal aqueous action unlike the present, llntton 
substituted an aqueous action, marine and ftuviatile, con- 
tinuously operating as we now sec it, antagonized by a 
periixlic igneous action. 
B. Spencer, Study of Sociol., p. 227. 
nepus (ne'pus), n. [Also nepnx, nipos; perhaps 
< nip, or some similar form (cf. Sw. knapp, nar- 
row, scanty; E. neap 1 , in oripr. sense 'scanty'), 
+ house (ME. Jtii.t, etc.). For the second ele- 
ment, cf. the surnames Backus. Belloics (Bel- 
Nereocystis 
lit*), reduced from hakrlionxr and bellhoiiKc. ] A 
gal)lr. [Srotrh.] 
In the tltlu-deedsof an old property In SI. Enoch Hquarr, 
Glasgow w nrriiplfd as an Imti-l called " His Lordship's 
Larder," reference is made to the garret room, 10 feet 
square, In the middle or nepot at the storey. 
N. and Q., 7th ser, IV. OS. 
nepus-gable (ne'pus-ga'bl), n. A gable. 
[Scotch.] 
There being then no ronns to the houses, at every place, 
especially where the nepui-gable* were towards the street*, 
the rain came gushing In a spout. 
Halt, The Provost, p. 201. (Janiemn.) 
nert, nere't, Nearer. Chaucer. 
nere-t, <"'<. /<"/ and a. A Middle English 
form of near i. 
nere a t, A Middle English form of neer a . 
nere 4 t. A Middle English contraction of ne 
were, were not. 
neret, adv. An obsolete contracted form of 
never. 
Nereid (ne're-id), n. [< L. Nereis (Nereid-) = 
Gr. Ni/pfif (tii/ptio-), a sea-nymph, daughter of 
Nereus, < Ni/pei'C, Nereus, a sea-god, < vr/p6f, 
wet.] 1. In Or. myth., a sea-nymph, one of 
the daughters of Nereus and Doris, generally 
spoken of as fifty in number. The most famous 
among them were Amphitrite, Thetis, and Galatea. The 
Nereids were beautiful maidens helpful to voyagers, and 
constituted the main body of the female, as the Tritons 
did of the male, followers of Poseidon or Neptune. They 
were imagined as dancing, singing, playing musical instru- 
ments, wooed by the Tritons, and passing in long proces- 
sions over the sea seated on hlppocamps and other sea- 
monsters. Monuments of ancient art represent them 
lightly draped or nude, in poses characterized by undu- 
lating lines, harmonizing with those of the ocean, and of- 
ten riding on sea-monsters of fantastic forms. 
Her gentlewomen, like the Nereidet, 
So many mermaids, tended her. 
Shalt., A. and C., IL 2. 211. 
2. \l. c.] In :o6L, a sea-centiped ; an errant 
marine worm of the family Nereirla-f in a wider 
sense, a marine annelid: applicable to nearly 
allof thepolychsetous worms. St. ['<] Some 
ocean organism that shines by night. See the 
quotation under noctilucous. I'ennant. 
Nereids (ne-re'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Nereis + 
-id<e.] A family of annelids, typified by the 
genus Nereis. They have similar rings, a large pro- 
Irascis, and the hranchia; obsolete or much reduced and 
combined with the lobes of the legs. The species live 
mostly along the sea-shore. 
Nereides (ne-re'i-dez), n.pl. [NL.,pl.of Nereis.] 
A family of worms, essentially the same as AV- 
reida 1 . 
nereidian (ne-re-id'i-an), a. and n, [< Nereid 
+ -inn.] I. a. ^Resembling a nereid ; pertain- 
ing to the Nereids, or having their characters; 
nereidous. 
II. n. A nereid, or sea-worm of the family 
Sigreidcs, 
nereidous (ne're-id-ns), a. Same as nereidian. 
Danrin, Voyage of Beagle, II. 259. 
Nereis (ne're-is), n. [NL., < L. Nereis, a Ne- 
reid: see Nereid.] 1. The typical genus of 
the family Nereida: It was formerly 
used with great latitude for nearly all of 
the nereids or errant marine annelids. A". 
pela yicaisA well-known sea- worm of both 
coastsofthe Atlantic. \. rireru is a large 
New England species from 18 to 20 Inches 
long, known as the eAaimrorm. 
2. In entom., a genus of lepidop- 
terous insects. Buhner, 1806. 3. 
In hot., a systematic account of 
the algte or seaweeds of a locality 
or country: as, the Nereis Bore- 
ali-Americana, by Harvey. 
nereite (ne're-it), n. [< NL. Nere- 
ites, < L. Nereis, a Nereid (see Ne- 
reid), + -ite?.] A fossil annelid 
related to the nereids, or sup- 
posed to be one of them ; a member of a genus 
Nereites of Paleozoic age. 
Nereites (ne-re-i'tez), n. [NL. : see nereite.] 
1. A generic name of nereites. 
A few of these fossils may truly be of a vegetable nature, 
whilst as to others (such as A'rreittt) no certain conclusion 
can be arrived at 
H. A. .VicAotam, Man. of Pahcontology. xiii. 
2. A genus of mollusks. Emmons, 1842. 
Nereocystis (ne're-o-sis'tis), n. [NL., < Gr. 
Xiftif rf, a sea-god (see Nereid), + Kf<rric, a bag, 
a bladder.] A gigantic seaweed of the natural 
order fMniinariacea', having a simple filiform 
stem, sometimes several hundred feet in length, 
terminating in a huge club-shaped or spherical 
bladder, from which springs a tuft of dichoto- 
mouslv dividing fronds. If. Luttrana, the only spe- 
cies, hi found on the northwestern coast of America and the 
opposite shores of Asia, where by its tangled stems It fre- 
Hait-wurm 
(.Vtrtis ftlafica). 
