Pronunciation: (nōz), [key]
—n., v., nosed, nos•ing.
1. the part of the face or facial region in humans and certain animals that contains the nostrils and the organs of smell and functions as the usual passageway for air in respiration: in humans it is a prominence in the center of the face formed of bone and cartilage, serving also to modify or modulate the voice.
2. this part as the organ of smell.
3. the sense of smell: fragrances appealing to the nose.
4. anything regarded as resembling the nose of a person or animal, as a spout or nozzle.
5. the prow of a ship.
6. the forward end of an aircraft.
7. the forward edge of the head of a golf club.
8. a projecting part of anything: the nose of a pair of pliers.
9. a faculty of perceiving or detecting: to have a nose for news.
10. the human nose regarded as a symbol of meddling or prying: Why can't he keep his nose out of my business?
11. the length of a nose: The horse won the race by a nose.
12. the bouquet of an alcoholic drink, esp. the distinctive aroma of a wine.
13. count noses, to count the number of people in attendance: Each time the troop left an exhibit the leader counted noses.
14. cut off one's nose to spite one's face, to create a disadvantage to oneself through one's own spiteful action.
15. follow one's nose,
a. to go forward in a straight course.
b. to guide oneself by instinct: I found the house by following my nose.
16. keep one's nose clean, to behave oneself; avoid trouble or scandal: Did he keep his nose clean after he got out of prison?
17. keep one's nose to the grindstone. See grindstone (def. 3).
18. lead or lead around by the nose, to exercise complete control over; dominate totally: He lets his brother lead him by the nose.
19. look down one's nose at, to regard with disdain or condescension: He had always looked down his nose at those who were poorer than he.
20. on the nose, Informal.
a. precisely, correctly, or perfectly.
b. exactly on time: We made it at ten o'clock on the nose.
c. (of a bet) for win only.
d. Australian Informal.decayed or putrid; stinking.
e. Australian Informal.distasteful or unpleasant; of doubtful validity or propriety.
21. pay through the nose, to pay an excessive price: They patronize small and exclusive shops where they cheerfully pay through the nose.
22. put someone's nose out of joint,
a. to annoy or irritate greatly.
b. to supersede a person in another's regard, devotion, etc.
c. to thwart someone; spoil someone's plans.
23. rub someone's nose in, to persecute or tease someone persistently about; nag someone about: I know I was wrong but you don't have to rub my nose in it.
24. turn up one's nose at, to regard with contempt; scorn: My friend turns up his nose at anyone who hasn't had a college education.
25. under someone's nose, plainly visible to; in full view of; in bold defiance of: The theft took place right under the detective's nose. Also,under someone's very nose.
1. to perceive by or as by the nose or the sense of smell: a cheese that could be nosed at some distance.
2. to approach the nose to, as in smelling or examining; sniff.
3. to move or push forward with or as with the nose: The dog nosed its pup back into the yard. The boat nosed its way toward shore.
4. to touch or rub with the nose; nuzzle.
1. to smell or sniff.
2. to seek as if by smelling or scent: The dogs nosed after their quarry.
3. to move or push forward: to nose into the wind.
4. to meddle or pry (often fol. by about, into, etc.): They are always nosing about in other people's business.
5. nose out,
a. to defeat, esp. by a narrow margin: The other candidates had been nosed out in the final returns.
b. to learn or discover, esp. by snooping or prying: to nose out a secret.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.