nez

Nez is a term that may refer to several different topics. In French, nez is the noun for the nose and is used in everyday speech as well as in medical and descriptive contexts. The word also appears in historical ethnography as part of the name Nez Perce, the English exonym for the Nimiipuu people of the interior Pacific Northwest. The name Nez Perce originates from French explorers who described the tribe's pierced nose ornaments; the endonym used by the people is Nimiipuu, meaning "the people."

Beyond linguistic and ethnographic uses, Nez is also a surname and given name in various cultures. Individuals with the surname Nez have appeared in public records and may be found in fields such as sports, arts, and academia, though the name is not tied to a single prominent lineage.

In contemporary contexts, Nez may also be encountered as a compact form or acronym in brand names, organizations, or fictional works, distinct from its linguistic origins.

The term therefore functions as a multi-use word whose meanings depend on context, ranging from a common French noun to an ethnonym, and to personal or organizational names.