n. [ F. note, L. nota; akin to noscere, notum, to know. See Know. ] 1. A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality. [ 1913 Webster ] Whosoever appertain to the visible body of the church, they have also the notes of external profession. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ] She [ the Anglican church ] has the note of possession, the note of freedom from party titles, the note of life -- a tough life and a vigorous. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ] What a note of youth, of imagination, of impulsive eagerness, there was through it all ! Mrs. Humphry Ward. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation. [ 1913 Webster ] The best writers have been perplexed with notes, and obscured with illustrations. Felton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A brief writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. pl. Hence, a writing intended to be used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a speech or of proceedings. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. A short informal letter; a billet. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. A diplomatic missive or written communication. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note. [ 1913 Webster ] 9. A list of items or of charges; an account. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Here is now the smith's note for shoeing. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 10. (Mus.) (a) A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence: (b) A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune. (c) A key of the piano or organ. [ 1913 Webster ] The wakeful bird . . . tunes her nocturnal note. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] That note of revolt against the eighteenth century, which we detect in Goethe, was struck by Winckelmann. W. Pater. [ 1913 Webster ] 11. Observation; notice; heed. [ 1913 Webster ] Give orders to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 12. Notification; information; intelligence. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The king . . . shall have note of this. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 13. State of being under observation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Small matters . . . continually in use and in note. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] 14. Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of note. [ 1913 Webster ] There was scarce a family of note which had not poured out its blood on the field or the scaffold. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ] 15. Stigma; brand; reproach. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Note of hand, a promissory note. [ 1913 Webster ]
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