Ni"hil*ist, n. [Cf. F. nihiliste. See Nihilism.] 1. One who advocates
the doctrine of nihilism; one who believes or teaches that nothing can
be known, or asserted to exist.
2. (Politics) A member of a secret association (esp. in Russia), which
is devoted to the destruction of the present political, religious, and
social institutions.
Ni`hil*is"tic (?), a. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, nihilism.
Ni*hil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. nihilité. See Nihilism.] Nothingness; a
state of being nothing.
Nil (?). [See Nill, v. t.] Will not. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Nil, n. & a. [L., a contr. of nihil.] Nothing; of no account;
worthless; -- a term often used for canceling, in accounts or
bookkeeping. A. J. Ellis.
Nile (?), n. [L. Nilus, Gr. &?;.] The great river of Egypt.
Nile bird. (Zoöl.) (a) The wryneck. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The crocodile
bird. -- Nile goose (Zoöl.), the Egyptian goose. See Note under Goose,
2.
Nil"gau (?), n. (Zoöl.) see Nylghau.
Nill (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nilled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Nilling.]
[AS. nilan, nyllan; ne not + willan to will. See No, and Will.] Not to
will; to refuse; to reject. [Obs.]
Certes, said he, I nill thine offered grace.
Spenser.
Nill, v. i. To be unwilling; to refuse to act.
The actions of the will are "velle" and "nolle," to will and nill.
Burton.
Will he, nill he, whether he wills it or not.
Nill, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. neul star, light. Cf. Nebula.] 1. Shining
sparks thrown off from melted brass.