Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Novel
Nov′el
,Adj.
Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.
☞ In civil law, the novel or new constitutions are those which are supplemental to the code, and posterior in time to the other books. These contained new decrees of successive emperors.
Novel assignment
(Law)
, a new assignment or specification of a suit.
Syn. – New; recent; modern; fresh; strange; uncommon; rare; unusual.
–
Novel
, New
. Everything at its first occurrence is new; that is novel which is so much out of the ordinary course as to strike us with surprise. That is a new sight which is beheld for the first time; that is a novel sight which either was never seen before or is seen but seldom. We have daily new inventions, but a novel one supposes some very peculiar means of attaining its end. Novel theories are regarded with distrust, as likely to prove more ingenious than sound. 1.
That which is new or unusual; a novelty.
2.
pl.
News; fresh tidings.
[Obs.]
Some came of curiosity to hear some
novels
. Latimer.
4.
[L.
novellae
(sc. constitutiones
): cf. F. novelles
.] (Law)
A new or supplemental constitution. See the Note under
Novel
, Adj.
Webster 1828 Edition
Novel
NOV'EL
,Adj.
1.
New; of recent origin or intorduction; not ancient; hence, unusual; as a novel heresy; novel opinions. The proceedings of the court were novel. 2.
In the civil law, the novel consititutions are those which are supplemental to the code, and posterior in time to the other books. These contained new decrees of successive emperors.3.
In the common law, the assize of novel disseizin is an action in which the demandant recits a complaint of the disseizin in terms of direct averment, whereupon the sheriff is commanded to reseize the land and chattels thereon, and keep the same in custody till the arrival of the justices of assize.NOV'EL
,Noun.
1.
A new or supplemental constitution or decree. [See the Adjective.]2.
A fictitious tale or narrative in prose, intended to exhibit the operation of the passions, and particularly of love.The coxcomb's novel and the drunkard's toast.
Definition 2024
novel
novel
English
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.
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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Old French
Alternative forms
- nuvel (Anglo-Norman)
Etymology
From Latin novellus, from novus.
Adjective
novel m (oblique and nominative feminine singular novele)
Declension
Declension of novel