Nelson

views updated May 18 2018

Nelson name of the British admiral Horatio Nelson (1758–1805), used in a number of phrases.
Nelson touch a masterly or sympathetic approach to a problem, with allusion to the skills of Admiral Horatio Nelson. The expression was coined by Nelson himself, in a letter of 25 September 1805.
Nelson's blood rum, as formerly officially issued in the Navy.
Nelson's Column a memorial to Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, consisting of a column 58 metres (170 feet) high surmounted by his statue.
Nelson's Pillar a monument in Dublin, erected 1808–9, which was blown up by Republicans in 1966.
turn a Nelson eye turn a blind eye to, overlook, pretend ignorance of. The allusion is to the battle of Copenhagen in 1801, when the signal ‘discontinue the action’ was hoisted; Nelson is said to have clapped his telescope to his blind eye, and declared that he could not see the signal.

nelson

views updated Jun 11 2018

nel·son / ˈnelsən/ • n. a wrestling hold in which one arm is passed under the opponent's arm from behind and the hand is applied to the neck (half nelson), or both arms and hands are applied (full nelson).

Nelson

views updated May 17 2018

Nelson. Opera in 3 acts by Lennox Berkeley to lib. by Alan Pryce-Jones. Comp. 1953. F.p. London (concert perf.) 1953, stage (SW) 1954.