naris

noun

na·​ris ˈner-əs 

ˈna-rəs

variants or less commonly nare

ˈner 

plural nares ˈner-ˌēz 

ˈna-ˌrēz

see usage paragraph below

: either of the pair of openings of the nose or nasal cavity

Usage of Naris and Nare

The spelling naris is the more usual singular form of this noun. The singular spelling variant nare is a back-formation from the plural form nares. As such, nare is often criticized, but it does appear occasionally in published, edited medical sources.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The ravenous larvae then feed on their victims’ keratin, tissue and blood, eventually moving from the nares to feed externally on the developing birds. —Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 13 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin nāris, plural nārēs "nostril"; akin to Latin nāsus "nose" — more at nose entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

naris

noun

na·​ris ˈner-əs 

plural nares -(ˌ)ēz 

: either of the pair of openings of the nose