nodder
Variant of nod
nod (näd)
intransitive verb nodded nod′·ded, nodding nod′·ding
- to bend the head forward slightly and raise it again quickly, as a sign of greeting, command, acknowledgment, invitation, or, specif., of agreement or assent
- to let the head fall forward involuntarily because of drowsiness; be very sleepy
- to be inattentive or careless; make a slip
- to sway back and forth or up and down, or to hang down, as the tops of trees, flowers, plumes, etc.
- Slang to be under the influence of a drug, as heroin
Etymology: ME nodden, prob. in basic sense “to shake the head,” akin to Ger notten, to move about, OHG hnotōn, to shake, OE hnossian, to knock < IE *kneudh < base *ken-, to scratch, scrape > nip
transitive verb
- to bend (the head) forward slightly and raise it again quickly
- to signify (assent, approval, agreement, etc.) by doing this
- to invite or dismiss by a nod
noun
- a nodding, as of the head, treetops, etc.
- a sign of affirmation, assent, favorable decision, etc. to give or get the nod
Related Forms:
- nodder nod′·der noun
nod off
nod out
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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