How Do You Spell NEB?

Pronunciation: [nˈɛb] (IPA)

The word "neb" is a short and simple term that has a couple of different meanings. In Scottish dialect, it refers to the beak or bill of a bird, while in Northern English, it can be used as a slang term for nose. The spelling of "neb" is straightforward, with the "n" and "e" pronounced as usual. The "b" is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop, represented in IPA as /b/. Overall, "neb" is a useful word to know for anyone interested in the rich diversity of regional English dialects.

NEB Meaning and Definition

  1. Neb is a noun that primarily refers to the beak or snout of a bird or any similar elongated projecting mouthpart of an animal. It is commonly used to describe the pointed or elongated part of a creature's face that is used for feeding or other activities. The term is often applied specifically to the beak of a hawk, eagle, or other raptor, which is sharp and hooked, enabling them to tear and devour prey. However, it can also be used more broadly to describe the snout of animals like pigs, anteaters, or certain fish that are similarly designed for gathering and consuming food.

    In a wider sense, neb can also be used metaphorically to describe the nose or snout-like protrusion of an object or structure. For instance, the projecting part of a fountain or the nozzle of a hose can be referred to as a neb due to its resemblance. Additionally, neb could be used to describe the bill of a ship or a funnel-shaped opening of a pipe, where gas or liquid is expelled.

    Furthermore, in Scottish dialect or medieval usage, neb may be used to describe a person's face, particularly their nose. This usage is more archaic, generally found in poetic or old-fashioned literature. The word neb is derived from Middle English "nebbe," which referred to the beak of a bird or the snout of an animal, and can be traced back to Old English "nebb" and Proto-Germanic "nebbaz."

  2. The beak of a bird; the nose; the snout; the mouth: a nib.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for NEB *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for NEB

Etymology of NEB

The word "neb" has its origins in Middle English, and it comes from the Old English word "nebba". This Old English word referred to the beak or the nose of a bird or animal. Over time, the meaning of "neb" expanded to include the bill or beak of a human, particularly in northern dialects. Today, "neb" is primarily used in British English to refer to the beak or bill of a bird, while "snout" or "nose" is more commonly used for the human counterpart.

Similar spelling words for NEB

Plural form of NEB is NEBS

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