NOD (nodded, nodding)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: nodded    , nodding   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does nod mean? 

• NOD (noun)
  The noun NOD has 2 senses:

1. a sign of assent or salutation or command

2. the act of nodding the head

  Familiarity information: NOD used as a noun is rare.

• NOD (verb)
  The verb NOD has 5 senses:

1. express or signify by nodding

2. lower and raise the head, as to indicate assent or agreement or confirmation

3. let the head fall forward through drowsiness

4. sway gently back and forth, as in a nodding motion

5. be almost asleep

  Familiarity information: NOD used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NOD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A sign of assent or salutation or command

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("nod" is a kind of...):

gesture; motion (the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals)

Derivation:

nod (express or signify by nodding)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of nodding the head

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("nod" is a kind of...):

inclination; inclining (the act of inclining; bending forward)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "nod"):

nutation (uncontrolled nodding)

Derivation:

nod (let the head fall forward through drowsiness)

nod (lower and raise the head, as to indicate assent or agreement or confirmation)

• NOD (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they nod    ... he / she / it nods   
Past simple: nodded   
Past participle: nodded   
-ing form: nodding   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Express or signify by nodding

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

He nodded his approval

Hypernyms (to "nod" is one way to...):

gesticulate; gesture; motion (show, express or direct through movement)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

nod (a sign of assent or salutation or command)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lower and raise the head, as to indicate assent or agreement or confirmation

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

The teacher nodded when the student gave the right answer

Hypernyms (to "nod" is one way to...):

communicate; intercommunicate (transmit thoughts or feelings)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s to somebody

Derivation:

nod (the act of nodding the head)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Let the head fall forward through drowsiness

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

The old man was nodding in his chair

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

nod (the act of nodding the head)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Sway gently back and forth, as in a nodding motion

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

the flowers were nodding in the breeze

Hypernyms (to "nod" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 5

Meaning:

Be almost asleep

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

The old man sat nodding by the fireplace

Hypernyms (to "nod" is one way to...):

drowse (be on the verge of sleeping)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

On my asking now, if that were not so, Mr. Omer nodded yes, and nodded towards the door of the parlour.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This is generally a very friendly full moon with a strong nod from Pluto.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

She gave a quick nod of assent just as the other two came up.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I would listen to him go on praising Mina for a day, so I simply nodded and stood silent.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Martin nodded, and called one of the loungers to him to take the message to the telegraph office.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Dorothy saw at once that this was true, so she only nodded and went on eating her bread.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

“Good evening, Dance,” says the doctor with a nod.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The other nodded, and asked, "How about the back?"

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said: “Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

He nodded and added: "Oh, it ain't so bad as all that. Look at me. Pretty healthy specimen, ain't I?"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)