Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Nede-,) Neid-fyre, n. Also: neyd-, need-. [e.m.E. nedfyre (1633) in sense 2, otherwise chiefly or only Sc.; f. Nede n.? Repres. an OE. *níedfýr: cf. OSax. nôdfŷr, MLG. nôtvûr, MHG. nôtviur, etc., and also Norw. dial. nau(d)eld, Sw. dial. nödeld, Da. nödild, and Gael. teine-éigin, of similar composition. In the mod. dial. Sc. and north. Eng.]

1. Spontaneous combustion. Only in the phr. to take neidfyre. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 50.
Quhen the Bischop of Camelon wes doand dyvyne seruice in his pontificall, his staff tuke neyd fyre and mycht be slokynnit be na crafft quhill [etc.] Ib. 175.
In Lowtheane, Fyfe and Anguse baith treis and cornis tuke neyd fyre 1535 Stewart 33001.
That tyme his stalf … It tuik neidfyre richt thair into his handfig. 1669 Fleming Fulfilling Scripture (1801) I. 69.
Ere ever they were aware they had taken life and needfire with a word

2. Fire produced by the friction of dry wood, having reputed magical or prophylactic properties, as in curing or preventing diseases in cattle; ‘forced fire’. 1644 Strathbogie Presb. 51.
The said day, it was regraited be Mr. Robert Watsone that ther vas neid fyre raysed vithin his parochin of Grange for the curing of cattell 1649 Ib. 117.
Compeired Johne Cow and being accused for saying he had Mr. Robert Watsone his warrand for going to raise neidfyre in Grange, confessed he vent to the said Mr. Robert and told him that he vas advysed to cure his goodis after that maner … the said Mr. Robert Watsone … told him that vas ane Highland practise and censured alreadie be the Assemblie 1649 Moray Synod 96.
Raisers off neidfyre in the presbytrie of Strathboggie 1669 Alford Rec. 144.
[Five people] being found guiltie of practiseing unwarrantabl cures of their cattell … the ministers [at Towie and Strathdon] were ordained to discharg their peopl from raising of needfyr (as they called it)