WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Nos"tril
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. nosethril, nosethirl, AS. nospyrl; nos for nosu nose + pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for pyrhel, fr. purh through. Nose, and Through, and cf. Thrill.]
Definition : 1. (Anat.)

Defn: One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares.

Note: In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called a spiracle.

2. Perception; insight; acuteness. [Obs.] Methinks a man Of your sagacity and clear nostril should Have made another choice. B. Jonson.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913