nix1
/nɪks
/informal
pronoun
Nothing: apart from that, nix...
- He has got the point of what the administration could have done to prevent the attacks - nix.
- Already I have two people signed up beneath me and one of them has recruited, but I have nix, nada, zip in the way of genuine customers.
- The South Americans have enjoyed way the greater possession but have done nix with it.
exclamation
Expressing denial or refusal: ‘I owe you some money,’ ‘Nix, nix.’
verb [with object] chiefly North American
Put an end to; cancel: he nixed the deal just before it was to be signed...
- The UN and the Saudis had lined up several countries to contribute troops, and the interim Iraqi government was on board - but the deal was nixed at the last minute by the Americans.
- There were no quiet sighs of relief when the deal was nixed?
- Bell's regulatory guys told me it was not Texas that nixed the deal.
Origin
Late 18th century (as a noun): from German, colloquial variant of nichts 'nothing'.
Rhymes
nix2
/nɪks/noun (feminine nixie /ˈnɪksi/) rare
A water sprite.The three most common are the grigs, nixies and pixies....
- She finds him dragged down into the depths by sea-creatures who are an amalgam of classical nereides and the malicious nixies and mermaids of northern folklore.
- Langgaard, apparently was inspired by the legend of nixes, male sirens of the woodland, if you will, who lure travelers to a watery death with their violin-playing.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from German; related to the archaic English word nicker, denoting a water demon believed to live in the sea.
nix3
/nɪks/exclamation British informal, dated
Used as a signal or warning that a person in authority is approaching.
Origin
Mid 19th century: perhaps from the phrase keep nix 'to watch, guard' (see nix1).