- Novel
- Novel Nov"el, a. [OF. novel, nuvel, F. nouvel, nouveau, L.
novellus, dim. of novus new. See {New}.]
Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence,
out of the ordinary course; unusual; strange; surprising.
[1913 Webster]
Note: 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. [1913 Webster]
{Novel assignment} (Law), a new assignment or specification of a suit. [1913 Webster]
Syn: New; recent; modern; fresh; strange; uncommon; rare; unusual.
Usage: {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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.