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Glite Dictionary
⛵ A large ship 🍽️ A table ornament
nef

nef

9.9
A small container shaped like a ship used on dining tables long ago to hold salt or knives
  • noun
  • /nɛf/
  • Archaic
translation icon : nef
  • At the banquet, the host proudly displayed the silver nef that held the finest salt.

Examples

  • Although difficult to perceive in a reproduction, a miniature gilded bear and swan also perch on either end of the oversize nef at the center of the table.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The nef, a lavish vessel used both to store trenchers or foodstuff and as a place setting for the most honored guest, was a prized New Year's gift.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The FHLBB, on the other hand, plays no significant role in long-term monitoring of its NEF projects.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The nef, beautifully decorated, was filled with exquisite cutlery for the royal feast.

  • During the medieval dinner, each table featured a nef, showcasing the family's wealth and elegance.

Synonyms

dish
vsnef
329 1.0

A shallow round container used for holding or serving food

is a decorative ship-shaped table container used for salt or cutlery rather than food
saltcellar
vsnef
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A small dish with a lid for holding salt

is decorative and ship-shaped and may hold salt or cutlery rather than just salt
pand
vsnef
  • Archaic
9.9

A shallow open container like a bowl for holding or serving food

is a decorated ship-shaped dining container not a plain serving basin

How Ornate

candelabrum
1 8.3
nef
  • Archaic
9.9
centerpiece
  • US
26 3.4
saltcellar
  • Archaic
1 8.1
salt shaker
7 1.0

Surface Forms

nef singular
nefs plural

Etymology

Nef (the table ornament) gets its name from the Latin navis, meaning 'ship', because these objects were made in the shape of a little ship and stood on medieval tables as a container or showpiece, like a tiny 'ship' on the table.