What is the meaning of `nous’?

`Nous’ rhymes with `house’, `mouse’, and `louse’.

The word is used in British English to mean `intelligence’ or `common sense’. It is usually used to show approval.

*The children had the nous not to turn on the lights when they smelt gas.

Source: S. Upendran, The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, March 20, 2006