Definition

1. Noun:
   • Nota bene (Latin phrase or its abbreviation): An abbreviation for the Latin phrase "nota bene," meaning "note well" or "take special notice." It is used to direct a reader's attention to an important piece of information.
   • Niobium (chemical element): A soft, grey, ductile metallic element with the symbol Nb and atomic number 41, used in alloys, especially for superconducting magnets and in jet engines. It was formerly called columbium.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Nota bene):

  • The author added an NB in the footnote to clarify a critical point.
  • Please see the NB at the bottom of the page regarding the schedule change.

• Noun (Niobium):

  • The superconductor was made from a niobium-tin alloy.
  • Nb is valued for its resistance to corrosion and use in specialized steels.

Advanced Usage

• In formal or academic writing: "NB" is typically used in its abbreviated form, often in italics (), to introduce a side comment or essential note that should not be overlooked.
  • NB: All submissions must be received by the deadline.
• In scientific contexts: The symbol "Nb" is standard in chemistry and materials science to represent the element niobium.
  • The compound's formula is given as Nb₂O₅.

Variants and Related Words

• Nota bene: The full Latin phrase from which "NB" is abbreviated.
• Niobium: The full modern name for the element.
• Columbium: The former name for the element niobium, still occasionally used in metallurgy.

Synonyms

• For "NB" (Nota bene): Note, attention, observe, mark (as in "mark my words").
• For "Nb" (Niobium): (Element symbol) There are no direct synonyms, but it is related to other refractory metals like tantalum.

Related Phrases

• Take note: A common English equivalent for drawing attention, similar to "NB."
  • Take note: the main entrance will be closed tomorrow.
• Pay attention to: Another phrase with a similar function to "NB."
  • Pay attention to the instructions in bold.

Important Notes

• The two meanings of nb are entirely distinct and belong to different fields (scholarly notation vs. chemistry). Context is crucial for understanding which meaning is intended.
• As an abbreviation for , it is often followed by a colon (NB:) and the important note.
• As a chemical symbol, it is always capitalized (Nb) when referring to the element.

Noun

1. a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something
   • the margins of his book were generously supplied with pencilled NBs
2. a soft grey ductile metallic element used in alloys; occurs in niobite; formerly called columbium