Novel

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈnÉ’vlÌ©/,enPR: nŏvʹəl
• US enPR: nävʹəl, IPA: /ˈnÉ‘vÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -É’vÉ™l

From Old French novel ("new, fresh, recent, recently made or done, strange, rare") (modern nouvel), from Latin novellus ("new, fresh, young, modern"), diminutive of novus ("new").

Full definition of novel

Adjective

1. new, original, especially in an interesting way

Usage notes

Said of ideas, ways, etc.

Synonyms

In various senses from Old French novelle or Italian novella, both from Latin novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, from novus ("new"). Some senses came to English directly from the Latin.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A novelty; something new. 15th-18th c.
2. (now historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work. from 16th c.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.2.4:merry tales ... such as the old woman told of Psyche in Apuleius, Boccace novels, and the rest, quarum auditione pueri delectantur, senes narratione, which some delight to hear, some to tell, all are well pleased with.
3. A work of prose fiction, longer than a short story. from 17th c.
4. (classical studies, historical) A new legal constitution in ancient Rome. from 17th c.

Derived terms

• novelisation, novelization
• novelist

Related terms

• novella