nova

I. noun (plural novas or novae) Etymology: New Latin, feminine of Latin novus new Date: 1927 a star that suddenly increases its light output tremendously and then fades away to its former obscurity in a few months or years • novalike adjective II. noun Usage: often capitalized Etymology: short for Nova Scotia salmon Date: 1964 cured and smoked salmon; especially salmon that has been cured in a mixture of salt and sugar and smoked at a low temperature