Library / English Dictionary

NODDING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having branches or flower heads that bend downward

Example:

lilacs with drooping panicles of fragrant flowers

Synonyms:

cernuous; drooping; nodding; pendulous; weeping

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

unerect (not upright in position or posture)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

-ing form of the verb nod

Credits

 Context examples: 

"Bill," he answered, nodding his head.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

My last glance showed me the unconscious Summerlee, most futile of sentinels, still nodding away like a queer mechanical toy in front of the smouldering fire.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Between ourselves, Edmund, nodding significantly at his mother, it was cutting the roses, and dawdling about in the flower-garden, that did the mischief.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

“I’m not hankering to be the man that lays hands on you while he’s around,” Pete announced conclusively, nodding his head toward Buck.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

You may believe how glad we all were to see them, added Mrs. Jennings, leaning forward towards Elinor, and speaking in a low voice as if she meant to be heard by no one else, though they were seated on different sides of the room; but, however, I can't help wishing they had not travelled quite so fast, nor made such a long journey of it, for they came all round by London upon account of some business, for you know (nodding significantly and pointing to her daughter) it was wrong in her situation.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I understood him to mean if we were to take advantage of their coming to divert if possible the thoughts of the unhappy husband and wife from each other and from themselves; so on nodding acquiescence to him he asked them what they had seen or done.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“You are a young man,” she said, nodding.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Then again a few seconds of silent tension, when Wilson led viciously at the head, but Harrison took it on his forearm, smiling and nodding at his opponent.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I can understand you—(nodding at Mr. John Knightley)—your good fortune in meeting with so many of your friends at once here, delights you too much to pass unnoticed.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Nobody knew where the evening went to, for Hannah skillfully abstracted the babies at an early hour, nodding like two rosy poppies, and Mr. Laurence went home to rest.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)