nan meaning: definition, etymology

NAN

nounalso spelled NAN, Nan

NMDA antagonist neurotoxicity.

Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Alternative Alternative form of NaN (not a number)

nan

noun

US, UK /næn/ · UK, SC, WA /nan/

Etymology From Nan, pet form of the formerly very common female given names Anne and Agnes. As a nursemaid and grandmother, a clipping of earlier nana, from nanny under the probable influence of mama, also from Nan. Compare Mary.

Obsolete Synonym of maid: a servant girl.

Obsolete, Slang Synonym of nancy: an effeminate male homosexual.

UK, Endearing Synonym of nursemaid.

Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, Endearing Synonym of grandmother.

We had my nan over for Christmas dinner.

Derived terms: nan flap, nannie

Nan

noun

radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter N.

World War II era; joint US/RAF; World War II era; joint US/RAF

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — authors: page histories for NAN, nan and Nan.