Novel

a. [O. Fr. novel, nuvel, N. Fr. nouvel, nouveau, Pr. novell, novellh, noel, Sp. & Pg. novel, It. novello, Lat. novellus, diminutive of novus, new.] Of recent origin or introduction; not ancient; new; hence, especially, of a kind not before known or usual; out of the ordinary course; calculated to attract attention or to strike with surprise; unusual; strange.

In civil law, the novel or new constitutions are those which are supplemental to the code, and posterior in time to the other books. These contained new decrees of successive emperors.

Synonyms—New; recent; modern; fresh; strange; uncommon; rare; unusual.—NOVEL, NEW. Every thing at its first occurrence is new; a thing is novel when it is so much out of the ordinary course of things as to strike us with surprise. That is a new sight which is beheld for the first time; that is a novel sight which was either never seen before or is seen but seldom. We have daily new inventions, but a novel one supposes some very peculiar means of attaining its end. Novel theories are regarded with distrust, as likely to prove more ingenious than sound.

What's the newest grief? That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker; Each minute teems a new one.  Shak.

Scenes must be beautiful, which, daily viewed, Please daily, and whose novelty survives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years.  Cooper.