adj. 1. Of, in, or relating to the nose. 2. Linguistics Articulated by lowering the soft palate so that air resonates in the nasal cavities and passes out the nose, as in the pronunciation of the consonants (m), (n), and (ng) or the nasalized vowel of French bon. 3. Characterized by or resembling a resonant sound produced through the nose: a nasal whine. n. 1. Linguistics A nasal consonant. 2. A nasal part or bone, forming part of the bridge of the nose. 3. The nosepiece of a helmet. [Possibly from Middle English nasale, from Medieval Latin nāsālis, from Latin nāsus, nose; see nas- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] na·sali·ty (nā-zălĭ-tē) n. nasal·ly adv. |
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