Nation

n.
  1. (Ethnol.) A part, or division, of the people of the earth, distinguished from the rest by common descent, language, or institutions; a race; a stock.
  2. The body of inhabitants of a country, united under an independent government of their own.
  3. Family; lineage.
  4. A great number; a great deal; -- by way of emphasis; as, a nation of herbs.
    1. One of the divisions of university students in a classification according to nativity, formerly common in Europe.
    Five nations .
    See under Five.
    Law of nations .
    See International law, under International, and Law.