nasal

¹na·sal

noun \ˈnā-zəl\

Definition of NASAL

1

: the nosepiece of a helmet

2

: a nasal part

3

: a nasal consonant

Origin of NASAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from nes nose, from Latin nasus — more at nose

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with NASAL

Basil, hazel, phrasal

²nasal

adjective

Definition of NASAL

1

: of or relating to the nose

2

a : uttered with the soft palate lowered and with passage of air through the nose (as with \m\, \n\, \ŋ\, \ōⁿ\, or \aⁿ\)

b : characterized by resonance produced through the nose

3

of a musical tone : sharp, penetrating

— na·sal·i·ty \nā-ˈza-lə-tē\ noun

— na·sal·ly \ˈnā-zə-lē, ˈnāz-lē\ adverb

Examples of NASAL

1. a bottle of nasal spray
2. the nasal consonants and
3. the nasal vowels in French
4. Her voice is harsh and nasal.

First Known Use of NASAL

1656