nosing

Pluralnosings

1. 1
   verb

   Present participle of nose. Use this -ing form for pushing or sniffing at something with the nose.

   The dog kept nosing the door open to get outside.

   She caught the puppy nosing around in the trash.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   The front edge of a stair step that sticks out past the part below it.

   Like the lip at the front of a shelf that sticks out a little past the edge.

   The carpenter rounded the nosing so no one would trip on a sharp edge.

   Each step had a worn nosing where thousands of feet had passed.

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The way an animal pushes at or explores something using its nose.

   Like when a pet pushes its face into your hand to say hello.

   The horse's gentle nosing knocked the bucket over.

   We watched the dog's nosing as it searched the yard.

   Similarnudging, nuzzling, sniffing

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   A part that sticks out at an edge, like the raised lip on a piece of trim.

   Like the rounded edge along the top of a picture frame.

   The edge of the shelf had a smooth nosing that felt nice to touch.

   He sanded the nosing on the wooden frame until it was round.

   Similarlip, edge

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