novel

¹

[ nov-uhl ]

noun

1. a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes.
2. (formerly) novella ( def 1 ).

novel

²

[ nov-uhl ]

adjective

1. of a new and unusual kind; different from anything seen or known before:

   a novel idea.

2. not previously detected or reported:

   the emergence of novel strains of the virus.

novel

³

[ nov-uhl ]

noun

1. Roman Law.
   1. an imperial enactment subsequent and supplementary to an imperial compilation and codification of authoritative legal materials.
   2. Usually Novels, imperial enactments subsequent to the promulgation of Justinian's Code and supplementary to it: one of the four divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis.
2. Civil Law. an amendment to a statute.

novel

¹

/ ˈnɒvəl /

noun

1. an extended work in prose, either fictitious or partly so, dealing with character, action, thought, etc, esp in the form of a story
2. the novel
   the literary genre represented by novels
3. obsolete.
   usually plural a short story or novella, as one of those in the Decameron of Boccaccio

novel

²

/ ˈnɒvəl /

adjective

1. of a kind not seen before; fresh; new; original

   a novel suggestion

novel

³

/ ˈnɒvəl /

noun

1. Roman law a new decree or an amendment to an existing statute See also Novels

novel

1. A long, fictional narration in prose. Great Expectationsand Huckleberry Finnare novels, as are War and Peaceand Lord of the Flies.

Other Words From

• novel·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of novel¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Italian novella (storia) “new (story)”; novel ²

Origin of novel²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, Middle French novel, from Old French novel, nouvel, from Latin novellus “fresh, young, novel,” diminutive of novus “new”; new

Origin of novel³

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin novella (constitūtiō) “a new (regulation, order)”; novel ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of novel¹

C15: from Old French novelle, from Latin novella ( narrātiō ) new (story); see novel ²

Origin of novel²

C15: from Latin novellus new, diminutive of novus new

Synonym Study

See new.

Example Sentences

Over delicious homemade challah, we discussed classic graphic novels, many of which he edited.

From Salon

I said I was trying to find an agent for the YA novel I wrote from the point of view of my pit bull.

From Los Angeles Times

To address these issues, a team of researchers developed a novel sensor that attaches directly to the underside of plant leaves.

From Science Daily

Craig is known for playing characters with a tough exterior, and in that way, “Queer” is a novel film for the seasoned actor.

From Salon

Collectively, the study uncovered novel genomic factors shared between rhythm and language traits in humans and their role in development and function of the human brain.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• fiction
• narrative
• novella
• paperback
• prose
• story
• tale
• yarn