noun
nostril
NAH-strul/ˈnɑːstrəl/
Either external opening of the nose.
The nearer nostril is clearly visible beneath the man's slightly tilted nose.
Etymology
The compound literally means 'nose-hole': it names the opening rather than the nose itself. This concrete description still directly matches the anatomical meaning.
In context
put the sharp end of his half pike a good way up into my left nostril which tickled my nose like a straw
More examples
- My left nostril is blocked because I have a cold.
- The horse's nostrils flare as it runs.
- He wears a small silver ring in one nostril.
Forms
nostril · nostrils