As plain as the nose on your face; evidently to be seen. He is led by the nose; he is governed. To follow one’s nose; to go strait forward. To put one’s nose out of joint; to rival one in the favour of any person. To make a bridge of any one’s nose; to pass by him in drinking. To nose a stink; to smell it. He cut off his nose to be revenged of his face; said of one who, to be revenged on his neighbour, has materially injured himself.
Definition taken from The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, originally by Francis Grose.
Norway Neckcloth * Nose-1Nathan Bailey's 1736 Dictionary of canting and thieving slang
John S. Farmer's collection of canting songs and slang rhymes