NATION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Nation

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/nˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Nation n.

(Ethnol.) A part, or division, of the people of the earth, distinguished from the rest by common descent, language, or institutions; a race; a stock. "All nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."

The body of inhabitants of a country, united under an independent government of their own. "A nation is the unity of a people." "Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation."

Family; lineage. (Obs.)

(a)

One of the divisions of university students in a classification according to nativity, formerly common in Europe.

(b)

(Scotch Universities) One of the four divisions (named from the parts of Scotland) in which students were classified according to their nativity.

A great number; a great deal; by way of emphasis; as, a nation of herbs.

Five nations. See under Five.

Law of nations. See International law, under International, and Law.

Synonyms: people; race. See People.

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Etymology of 'Nation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Nation" Quotes from Famous Books

... correspondents to speak for themselves, reserving our judgment with a heavy heart. Piffle has the sympathy of the nation. ...

— The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. XXII (of 25) • Robert Louis Stevenson

... his fame was now manifestly spreading. Thus the Wiener Diarum for 1766 includes him among the most distinguished musicians of Vienna, and describes him as "the darling of our nation." His amiable disposition, says the panegyrist, "speaks through every one of his works. His music has beauty, purity, and a delicate and noble simplicity which commends it to every hearer. His cassations, quartets and trios may be compared to a pure, clear stream of water, the surface now ...

— Haydn • J. Cuthbert Hadden

... disrepute upon the name; and we are sorry to say that in many countries the title of a dog is given to the vilest and most worthless creatures. All the finer qualities of our race have been lost sight of, because a few among us have been mean or wicked; and a whole nation has been pointed at with scorn, because some of its members have acted badly. We are happy, Job, to find in you a 'worthy subject,' and we shall be glad to give you all assistance in choosing an occupation in which you may employ your time, ...

— The Adventures of a Dog, and a Good Dog Too • Alfred Elwes

... his foolish love of this wild hearted son that Harald Fairhair was led to commit an act whereby he undid all the great work of his life. He had succeeded in uniting all Norway into one nation, and this was good. But now nothing would suit him but that he should once more divide his great realm into many provinces. He therefore created all his sons kings, and gave to each his portion of the country, on condition that after his own death ...

— Olaf the Glorious - A Story of the Viking Age • Robert Leighton

... the tramp of thousands, And of armed men the hum; Lo! a nation's hosts have gathered Round the quick alarming drum,— Saying, 'Come, Freemen, come! Ere your heritage be wasted,' said ...

— Lyra Heroica - A Book of Verse for Boys • Various

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