nio

Definitions

1. Alternative letter-case form of Nio.
   alt-of
2. Initialism of New I/O (“new (or nonblocking) input/output”).
   abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
3. Initialism of Northern Ireland Office.
   UK, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
4. A pair of door gods at the main gates of Buddhist temples.

Equivalents

Examples

“Stormont officials spelled out linguistic pitfalls that could offend nationalists and unionists in a 164-page guidance document for Mandelson and other new NIO ministers.”

“Two Deva Kings (Nio) stand⟳ guard, as do two koma-inu (Korean lion-dogs), to protect⟳ the temple from the entry of evil forces... The 12 foot (3.6 m) tall Nio on the right has his mouth open⟳ to pronounce the Sanskrit "A" while the one on the left has his lips closed so as to pronounce the "Om" sound⟳, these two sounds being the alpha and omega of Buddhist lore, symbolizing the all inclusiveness of Buddhist teachings.”

“The guardian at the right, with mouth open⟳, represents birth; the guardian on the left, with mouth closed, represents death. The space between them represents the Absolute, or all that is contained between birth and death. At Iwamadera, the Nio, a distinctive ebony and shiny as lacquer, enhanced their ferocious, don't-mess-with-me muscular stance.”

CEFR level