Neb
/nɛb/noun
A dialect word for the nose or beak, especially in northern English and Scots.
Did you know?Neb is historically tied to the same deep root as words for a beak, a nib, and even nipple, all carrying the idea of a small projecting point.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nebh-
“to project, protrude”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nebaz
“beak, nose, projecting point”
Old English
OE
nebb
“nose, beak, head, summit”
Old Norse
ON
nef
“nose, beak”
Middle English
ME
neb
“nose, beak; point, tip”
Modern English
English
neb
“nose or beak, especially in dialect use”