Terminology
N
This page provides an alphabetical listing of some of the basic hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, camping, and archaeological terms that one might encounter while preparing for an adventure in canyon country. The definitions on these pages are meant only as a beginning, a point from which to get familiar as quickly as possible with the jargon of the trail. Please do not consider these explanations as definitive nor comprehensive. There are outside resources listed and linked for more in-depth definitions.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
N
Naiad
The aquatic young of mayflies, stoneflies, dragonflies, and damselflies.
Nalgene Bottle
A type of "plastic" bottle that holds up well under the harsh conditions of hiking and camping. Originally designed to store chemical reagents, the plastic resists taking on the smell of the liquid or ingredients it contains. A very popular type of water bottle, especially the wide-mouthed variety. They hold up for years.
Narrows
See Slot Canyon.
Native
Plant or animal that originated in the region in which they live.
NB
National Battlefield.
NBP
National Battlefield Park.
NBS
National Battlefield Site.
NF
National Forest
NHP
National Historical Park.
NHP and PRES
National Historical Park and Preserve.
NH RES
National Historical Reserve.
NHS
National Historic Site.
Niche
Role of a species within a community.
NL
National Lake Shore.
NM
National Monument.
NM and PRES
National Monument and Preserve.
N MEM
National Memorial.
NMFS
National Marine Fisheries Service.
NMP
National Military Park.
N and SP
National and State Parks.
NOAA
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.
Nocturnal
Active at night.
Nodular
Having the shape of, or composed of, irregular lumps of rock or mineral.
NP
National Park.
NPS
National Park Service.
NP and PRES
National Park and Preserve.
N PRES
National Preserve.
NR
National River.
NRA
National Recreation Area.
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
NRR
National Recreation River.
NRRA
National River and Recreation Area.
N RES
National Reserve.
NS
National Seashore.
NSR
National Scenic River or Riverway.
NST
National Scenic Trail.
Numic
The family of Uto-Aztecan languages in the western Great Basin that includes the languages of the Ute, Southern Paiute, and Western Shoshone tribes.
Nutlet
Nut-like, but small; used to describe any small, thick-walled, dry seed.
Nymph
The terrestrial young of insects with simple metamorphosis.
