novel
English
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ˈnɒvl̩/,enPR: nŏvʹəl, X-SAMPA: /"nQvl=/
- (US) enPR: nävʹəl, IPA: /ˈnɑvəl/, X-SAMPA: /"nAv@l/
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Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -ɒvəl
Etymology 1
From Old French novel (“new, fresh, recent, recently made or done, strange, rare”) (modern nouvel), from Latin novellus (“new, fresh, young, modern”), diminutive of novus (“new”).
Adjective
novel (comparative more novel, superlative most novel)
Usage notes
- Said of ideas, ways, etc.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:new
Translations
new, original, especially in an interesting way
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Etymology 2
In various senses from Old French novelle or Italian novella, both from Latin novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, from novus (“new”). Some senses came to English directly from the Latin.
This definition is lacking an etymology or has an incomplete etymology. You can help Wiktionary by giving it a proper etymology.
Noun
novel (plural novels)
- (obsolete) A novelty; something new. [15th-18th c.]
- (now historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work. [from 16th c.]
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.2.4:
- merry tales [...] such as the old woman told of Psyche in Apuleius, Boccace novels, and the rest, quarum auditione pueri delectantur, senes narratione, which some delight to hear, some to tell, all are well pleased with.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.2.4:
- A work of prose fiction, longer than a short story. [from 17th c.]
- (classical studies, historical) A new legal constitution in ancient Rome. [from 17th c.]
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
work of prose fiction
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