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Glite Dictionary
🍽️ A table ornament ⛵ A large ship
nef

nef

1 9.9
A small container shaped like a ship used on dining tables long ago to hold salt or knives
  • noun
  • /nɛf/
  • Archaic
: 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
382 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
1 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
2 8.3
nef
  • Archaic
1 9.9
centerpiece
  • US
30 3.4
saltcellar
  • Archaic
1 8.1
salt shaker
14 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.