an act of nodding the head:at a nod from his father he left the room
(a nod to) a gesture of acknowledgement or concession to:the device is a nod to the conventions of slapstick
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] lower and raise one’s head slightly and briefly, especially in greeting, assent, or understanding, or to give someone a signal:he looked around for support and everyone nodded [with object]:she nodded her head in agreement
[with object] signify or express (greeting, assent, or understanding) by nodding:he nodded his consent
(nod something through) informal approve something by general agreement, without discussion:the DTI nodded through the bid from Airtours
move one’s head up and down repeatedly:he shut his eyes, nodding to the beat figurativefoxgloves nodding by the path
2 [no object] let one’s head fall forward when drowsy or asleep:Anna nodded over her book
make a mistake due to a momentary lack of alertness or attention:scientific reason, like Homer, sometimes nods
[with allusion to Latin dormitat Homerus 'even Homer nods' (Horace Ars Poet. 359)]
3 [with object and adverbial of direction] Soccer head (the ball) without great force:Henry nodded the ball over the line
nodding acquaintance
a slight acquaintance with a person or knowledge of a subject:students will need a nodding acquaintance with three other languages
be on nodding terms
know someone slightly:the two girls are not even on nodding terms with each other
get the nod
1be selected or approved:I think Hooper will get the nod as he’s been playing really well recently
2receive a signal or information:I got the nod that the government were looking for ex-army officers to form a new force
give someone/thing the nod
1select or approve someone or something:they banned one book but gave the other the nod
2give someone a signal:just give me the nod
a nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse
proverb used to convey that a hint or suggestion can be or has been understood without the need of further elaboration or explanation:of course, we can’t discuss it over the telephone, but a nod’s as good as a wink, and I promise I’ll be very careful
on the nod
informal
1British by general agreement and without discussion:parliamentary approval of the treaty went through on the nod
2 dated on credit:the bookie took his bet on the nod
3alternating between wakefulness and sleepiness on account of heroin use.
nod off
informal fall asleep, especially briefly or unintentionally:he nodded off during the sermon
