nun

n. [ OE. nunne, AS. nunne, fr. L. nonna nun, nonnus monk; cf. Gr. &unr_;, &unr_;; of unknown origin. Cf. Nunnery. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A woman devoted to a religious life, who lives in a convent, under the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. [ 1913 Webster ]

They holy time is quiet as a nun
Breathless with adoration. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) (a) A white variety of domestic pigeons having a veil of feathers covering the head. (b) The smew. (c) The European blue titmouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gray nuns (R. C. Ch.), the members of a religious order established in Montreal in 1745, whence branches were introduced into the United States in 1853; -- so called from the color or their robe, and known in religion as Sisters of Charity of Montreal. --
Nun buoy. See under Buoy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The 25th letter of the Arabic alphabet, corresponding in pronunciation to n. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. -taks the pl. form Nunatakker is Swedish). [ Eskimo nunaettak. ] In Greenland, an insular hill or mountain surrounded by an ice sheet. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖ [ L. nunc now + dimittis thou lettest depart. ] (Eccl.) The song of Simeon (Luke ii. 29-32), used in the ritual of many churches. It begins with these words in the Vulgate. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ OE. nonechenche, for noneschenche, prop., a noon drink; none noon + schenchen, schenken, skinken, to pour, AS. scencan. See Noon, and Skink, v. i. ] A portion of food taken at or after noon, usually between full meals; a luncheon. [ Written also noonshun. ] Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who announces; a messenger; a nuncio. [ Obs. ] Hoole. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. nunciare, nuntiare, to announce, report, fr. nuncius, nuntius, messenger: cf. F. nonciature, It. nunziatura. See Nuncio. ] The office of a nuncio. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Nuncios [ It. nunzio, nuncio, fr. L. nuncius, nuntius, messenger; perh. akin to novus new, E. new, and thus, one who brings news. Cf. Announce. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A messenger. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The permanent official representative of the pope at a foreign court or seat of government. Distinguished from a legate a latere, whose mission is temporary in its nature, or for some special purpose. Nuncios are of higher rank than internuncios. [ 1913 Webster ]