novel

Novel is defined as a fictional book.

(noun)

An example of a novel is a book by Louisa May Alcott

The definition of novel is something new or different.

(adjective)

An example of novel is an idea that has never been thought of before.

See novel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

new and unusual; esp., being the first of its kind

Origin: ME novell < OFr novel < L novellus, dim. of novus, new

noun

Obsolete novella (sense )
a relatively long fictional prose narrative with a more or less complex plot or pattern of events, about actions, feelings, motives, etc. of a group of characters
the type or form of literature represented by such narratives: with the
Origin: < LL novellae (constitutiones)
Rom. Law a new law or decree, specif. one made by Justinian supplementary to the Justinian code: usually used in pl.

Origin: It novella < L neut. pl. of novellus (see novelthe ), hence, orig., new things, news

Related Forms:

See novel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters.
The literary genre represented by novels.

Origin:

Origin: Ultimately from Italian novella

Origin: , from Old Italian, piece of news, chit-chat, tale

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *novella

Origin: , from neuter pl. of Latin novellus

Origin: , diminutive of novus, new; see newo- in Indo-European roots

adjective

Strikingly new, unusual, or different. See Synonyms at new.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin novellus