nostril Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
    anterior naris.

WordNet

Nos"tril noun
Etymology
OE. nosethril, nosethirl, AS. nospyrl; nos for nosu nose + pyrel opening, hole, from pyrel pierced, for pyrhel, fr. purh through. See Nose, and Through, and cf. Thrill.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) One of the external openings of the nose, which give passage to the air breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares. ✍ In sperm whales, porpoises, and allied animals, there is only one nostril, which is situated on the top of the head and called a spiracle.
  2. Perception; insight; acuteness. Obs.
    Methinks a man Of your sagacity and clear nostril should Have made another choice. B. Jonson.

Webster 1913