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Webster 1913 Edition

Nostril

Nos′tril

,
Noun.
[OE.
nosethril
,
nosethirl
, AS.
nosþyrl
;
nos
for
nosu
nose +
þyrel
opening, hole, from
þyrel
pierced, for
þyrhel
, fr.
purh
through. √261. See
Nose
, and
Through
, and cf.
Thrill
.]
1.
(Anat.)
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.
[Obs.]
Methinks a man
Of your sagacity and clear
nostril
should
Have made another choice.
B. Jonson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Nostril

NOS'TRIL

,
Noun.
[Thyrl or thirel is an opening or perforation; thirlian, thyrlian, to bore, to perforate, to thrill, to drill. See Drill.] An aperture or passage through the nose. The nostrils are the passages through which air is inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

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