nix

¹

[ niks ]

noun

1. nothing.

verb (used with object)

1. to veto; refuse to agree to; prohibit:

   The VP of Publishing nixed the project.

adverb

1. no ¹( def 1 ).

interjection

1. Archaic. (used as an exclamation, especially of warning):

   Nix, the cops!

nix

²

[ niks ]

noun

, plural nix·es.

1. (in Germanic folklore) a water spirit that draws its victims into its underwater home.

nix

¹

/ nɪks /

noun

1. German myth a male water sprite, usually unfriendly to humans

nix

²

/ nɪks /

sentence substitute

1. another word for no 1
2. be careful! watch out!

noun

1. a rejection or refusal
2. nothing at all

verb

1. tr to veto, deny, reject, or forbid (plans, suggestions, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of nix¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from German, variant of nichts “nothing”

Origin of nix²

1825–35; < German Nix, Old High German nihhus; cognate with Old English nicor water monster, Old Norse nykr, Norwegian nøkk, Swedish näck; compare Sanskrit nenekti (he) washes

Word History and Origins

Origin of nix¹

C19: from German Nixe nymph or water spirit, from Old High German nihhus; related to Old English nicor sea monster

Origin of nix²

C18: from German, colloquial form of nichts nothing

Example Sentences

Still, some homeless advocates say they’ve seen a dramatic shift in the last year, as elected officials nix or stall affordable housing projects that had already secured competitive state funding.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve read that there were certain kinds of rants that you wanted to go on, or long monologues that in the beginning, Jemaine kind of nixed.

From Salon

“Bake Off” will no longer have nationality-themed challenge weeks, which were officially nixed in anticipation of Season 14 over racism accusations.

From Salon

Newsom’s veto of AB 2586 marked the second time this month that he nixed legislation to expand services to undocumented immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Proposition 47 needed to be nixed and that state Democrats had been pushing too many “pro-criminal” policies.

From Los Angeles Times