(mineralogy) A feldspathoid mineral of silica-poor igneous, plutonic and volcanic rocks. Chemically, nepheline is a plagioclase feldspar with insufficient silica to satisfy the chemical bonds. Because of the unfilled bonds, nepheline weathers rapidly and can only be seen as inclusions in freshly broken rock.

(archaic) Alternative form of nepenthes (“a drug that relieves one of emotional pain, grief or sorrow”).

(pathology) Inflammation of the kidney.

The favoring of relatives or personal friends because of their relationship rather than because of their abilities.

(electronics) A non-SI unit of the attenuation (or sometimes gain) of field and power quantities such as electronic signals; the natural logarithm of a ratio, with 1 Np (a ratio of 2.718:1) being equivalent to 8.686 dB.

A drug mentioned in Homer's Odyssey (c. 8th century B.C.E.) as bringing relief from anxiety or grief; hence, any drug or substance seen as bringing welcome forgetfulness or relief.

(archaic) plural of nepenthe.

plural of neper

Alternative spelling of cardinal-nephew

Any cardinal created by the nepotism of a Pope