ness

plural nesses

1. geographyA promontory; a cape or headland. (Frequently used as a suffix in placenames.)

   1 more example

   Velvraz Sebarm stands upon the lake, among orange-trees and pomegranates and almonds and peaches of the south, a mile north-west over the water from Zayana town, and two miles by land: an old castle built of honey-coloured marble at the tip of a long sickle-shaped ness that sweeps round southwards, with wild gardens running down in the rocks to the water’s edge, and behind the castle a wood of holm-oaks making a wind-break against the north.

   1958, Eric Rücker Eddison, Zimiamvian Trilogy, volume 3, The Mezentian Gate, page 177

plural Nesses

1. Irishcountableuncountablehuman sciencesAn Ulster princess and the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa and Findchoem in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide. Also the mother of Cormac Cond Longas by incest with Conchobar mac Nessa.
2. A placename:
   1. countableuncountableA suburban village in Neston parish, Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire, England (OS grid ref SJ3076).
   2. countableuncountableThe northernmost area on the Isle of Lewis, Western Isles council area, Scotland.
   3. countableuncountableA short river in Highland council area, Scotland, which flows from Loch Ness through Inverness to the Beauly Firth; in full, River Ness.
   4. abbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of Ness City.
   5. abbreviationcountableellipsisuncountableEllipsis of Ness County.
3. countableuncountableA surname.