| nostril | 1. <anatomy> One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares. In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called a spiracle. 2. Perception; insight; acuteness. "Methinks a man Of your sagacity and clear nostril should Have made another choice." (B. Jonson) Origin: OE. Nosethril, nosethirl, AS. Nospyrl; nos for nosu nose + pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for pyrhel, fr. Purh through. See Nose, and Through, and cf. Thrill. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| internal nostril | The definitive choana opening into the nasopharynx, after the nasal chambers have been lengthened by the formation of the secondary palate. Synonym: internal nostril. (05 Mar 2000) |
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