They [swallows] were honoured antiently as the Nuncios of the Spring

Bourne's Pop. Antiq. (1777), p. 92. Specifically-2. A papal me enger; a permanent diplomatic agent of the first rank, representing the Pope at the capital of a country entitled to that distinction. A papal amba ador of the first rank sent on a special temporary mi ion is styled a legate . (See legate .) Nuncios formerly acted as judges of appeal. In Roman Catholic kingdoms and states holding themselves independent of the court of Rome in matters of discipline, the nuncio has merely a diplomatic character, like the minister of any other foreign power. A certaine restraint was giuen out, charging his nuncios and legates (whom he had sent for the gathering of the first fruites of the benefices vacant within the realm), etc. Foxe , Martyrs, p. 417. pace, 'now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace': L. nunc , now (see now); dimittis , 2d pers. sing. pres. ind. of dimittere , send forth, nuncius, nuntius (nun's hi-us), n.; pl. nuncii, send away, dismi : see dismi .] The canticle of Simeon (Luke ii. 29-32). The Nunc Dimittis forms part of the private thanksgiving of the priest after the liturgy in the Greek Church, and is frequently sung by the choir after celebration of the eucharist in Anglican churches. It forms part of the office of complin as used in the Roman Catholic Church or in religious communities in the Anglican Church. It is contained in the vesper office of the Greek Church, and is one of the canticles at evening prayer in the Anglican Church. Hall i well, for nunch. nunch (nunch), n. [Prob. a dial. var. of lunch or hunch , the form nunc , so spelled in Hall i well, being either for * nunk (cf. hunk1 ) or hunk1 ) or for The variation of the initial consonant in such homely monosyllables is not extraordinary. The same or like words vary also terminally: cf. hunk1, hunch , hump , lunch , lump1 , bunch, bump2, etc. But nunch may arise from nun che on, if that is of ME. origin: see nuncheon .] 1. A lump or piece. Compare nunc.-2. A slight repast; a lunch or luncheon. Compare nuncheon. Hall i well . [Prov. Eng.] nuntii (-1). [L.: see nuncio.] 1. A me enger. As early as the middle of the 13th century entries occur in the wardrobe accounts of the kings of England of payments to royal me engers - variously designated "cokinus," nuncius , or "garcio" - for the conveyance of letters to various parts of the country. Encyc . Brit., XIX. 562. 2. A papal me enger; a nuncio. - Nuncius apostolic us. Same as nuncio , 2. nunclet (nung'kl), n. [A corrupt form for uncle , due to misdivision of mine uncle, thine uncle, etc. Cf. equiv. neam for eam ; also naunt for aunt .] Uncle. This was the licensed appellation given by a fool to his master or superior, the fools themselves calling one another cousin . IMG:content-1513.jpg:[blocks in formation] His name is Don Tomazo Port a car eco, nuncle to young Don Hortado de Mendonza. Middle ton , Spanish Gypsy, ii. 1. nuncle (nung'kl), v. [ cozen2 , cousin2, cheat, cousin .] To cheat; deceive. Hall i well . [Prov. Eng.] seen or heard of. nuncupationt (nung-kū-pā'shon), n. [ME. nun cup at i on = F. nuncupation , пипсира tio (n-), nuncupare , call by name: see nun cupate.] 1. The act of nuncupating, naming, dedicating, or declaring. Chaucer .-2. The oral declaration of a will. nuncupative (nung'kū-pa-tiv), a. [= OF. non cupatif , nuncupatif , F. nuncupatif = Sp. Pg. It. nuncupativo , nuncupare , pp. пипсиpatus , call by name: see nuncupate .] 1t. Pertaining to naming, nominating, vowing, or dedicating. The same appear eth by that nuncupative title wherewith both Heathens and Christians have honoured their oaths, in calling their swearing an oath of God.