Definition of the word nostril

The word "nostril" has its origins in the Old English language, specifically the words "nāst":"nose" and "rīl":"pertaining to liquid." The Old English word was "nāstrīl," which meant literally "nose-lip" or "nose-rim," referring to the curved opening of the nostrils. Over time, this compound word evolved as the nasal cavity and its opening became better understood in linguistic and medical contexts. In Middle English, the word "nostenryle" and "nostryl" were used interchangeably to mean the nostrils themselves, which shortened to "nostril" in early Modern English. The study of human anatomy, which began to flourish during the 16th century, helped to further refine our understanding of bodily functions and led to the expansion and refinement of medical terminology. In this context, "nostril" took on a more specific medical meaning, denoting the openings through which air enters and leaves the nose during respiration. Despite these refinements, the literal meaning of "nostril" - a combination of "nose" and "liquid" - lives on both as a historical artifact and a testament to the ways in which the human body has been understood and described over time.