nova

noun (1)

no·va | \ ˈnō-və

How to pronounce nova (audio)

\

plural novas or novae\ ˈnō-(ˌ)vē

How to pronounce novae (audio)

, -ˌvī \

Definition of nova

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few months or years

nova

noun (2), often capitalized

Definition of nova (Entry 2 of 2)

: cured and smoked salmon especially : salmon that has been cured in a mixture of salt and sugar and smoked at a low temperature

History and Etymology for nova

Noun (1)

borrowed from New Latin, "newly visible star or nebula" (probably originally as ellipsis of nebula nova, later taken as ellipsis of stella nova "new star"), from feminine of Latin novus "new" — more at new entry 1

Noun (2)

short for Nova Scotia salmon

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Dictionary Entries near nova

nouvelle cuisine

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Time Traveler for nova

The first known use of nova was in 1927

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