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

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

Nixt, a. Also: nixte, nixtt, (nixtis), nixst, nyxt, nix. [Common Sc. var. of Next a.: cf. also Neste.South-eastern ME. nixte (Ayenbite) is doubtless unconnected.]

1. Of persons or things: That lives, is situated, etc., nearest; (the, one's) nearest.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1648.
Herwist … And wyntir his nixt nychtbour c1475 Wall. (1570) i. 7. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 82.
Ane few pure folkis the nixt dwelling nichtbouris to the Kingis ludgeing(2) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 5.
They affixit thair tentis on the nixt strenthis Ib. II. 72. Ib. (M) I. 25.
He brocht all the schippis … to the nixt port 1533 Boece ix. xvii. 333.
Pichtis … to the nixt hillis declynit 1587 Acts III. 463/2.
At the … heid burrowis of the tua nixt schyres 1610 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 303.
You shall committ him prisonner to the nixt giall c 1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 515.
The teynds of many of the nixt lands perteined therto [a church]

b. transf. That is most closely affected. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1400.
Giue ony fault be done, caus to correct it sone Bot first that thow baith heir and se The talking of the nixt partie

2. Nearest in relationship or kinship; most immediate (heir). c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2078.
Thare nixt apperande aire 1571 Warrender P. I. 108.
Sonnis, brethir, nixt cousingis

3. The next in a succession or series of any kind. Also absol.(1) c1420 Wynt. i. h. of ch.
In to this nixt chepture c1515 Asl. MS. I. 268/7.
Becaus his eldest son haltit he maid his nixt sone … kepar of the land 1513 Doug. ii. vi. 28.
The nixt hows byrnys 1529 Stirling B. Rec. I. 37.
The nixt falt the flecht to be eschet 1549 Compl. 96/23. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 872.
Lentulus, quhilk was the nixt doctour 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 39.
In the first roume. Then in the nixt roume c1610 Melville Mem. 13.
Bot the tua last lowns left vs at the nyxt loging 1653 Lanark B. Rec. 153.
To pit up … ane round oe … in the leich hous and ane stone quhich wes cutt out round in the nixt hous 1673 Lauder Jrnl. 269.
The nixt money I brok upon(2) 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 142.
absol. [Two rulers,] the first havand autorite to distroye thair blude and the nixt to devoir thair substance 1549 Compl. 65/20.
The fyrst [shepherd] hed ane drone bag pipe, the nyxt hed [etc.] a1568 Bann. MS. 148 a/(Dunbar & Kennedy's c1500-c1512 Flyt.) 49.
Juge in the nixt quha gat the war

4. That happens next in point of time. Also absol.(1) 1494 Acta Aud. 196/2.
Betuix this & the nixt hed court c1500-c1512 Dunb. iv. 95.
On forse I man his nyxt pray be 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 216.
It sall kep na rowme and nocht to be ground quhill his nixt rowme cum about 1538 Ib. II. 91.
In his nixt comptis 1545 Douglas Corr. 159.
Vith the nixte poste 1565 Q. Mary Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lvii.
Efter your nixst aduertissement Y schal vreit furadar 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 8.
To lear thayme against the nixt lesson a1578 Pitsc. II. 180 (I).
And the nixt fault xl. lib. 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 57. 1633 Breadalbane Lett. No. 493.
Upone our nixt adverteisement 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 194. 1664 Kingarth Kirk S. 31.
To be summond to the nixt sessioun 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 28 Sept.
Continowis Johne Sprot jeyilour till the nixt electiouneabsol. 1587 Acts III. 103/2.
The first fair beginnand vpoun the xv day of August … and the nixt vpoun the viij day of September 1669 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 402.
Expecting your answer with the nixt(2) c1650 Spalding I. 214.
In the nixt ensewing parliament

5. Of a date or a period of time: Immediately following.Chiefly with the definite article or a demonstrative or possessive.(1) 1491 Acts II. 225/1.
Quhill the nixt term of Witsonday 1500 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 103.
At this nixt Fasternisewyn c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 83.
Aganis the nixt ȝeir 1530 Treas. Acc. V. 407.
Quhilk lestit to the nixt Ȝule 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 39.
And suld schaw him the nixt day quhat his pepill thocht maist expedient 1549 Compl. 35/32.
The nyxt tua thousand ȝeir 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 237.
Thrys this nixt yeir and twis ilk yeir followand 1560 Rolland Seven S. 312.
Within nixt ȝeiris four 1565 Instit. Ct. Sess. 59.
That thai be … pronuncit the nixt Setterday 1573 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 4.
The nixt law day 1587 Warrender P. II. 36.
Returning the nixt day 1590 Lanark B. Rec. 97.
Fra this nixt feist of Luxmes 16.. Hist. Kennedy 35.
To cum the nixt nicht 1612 Breadalbane Lett. 28 Nov.
The prince salbe buried this nixt oulk 1613 Haddington Corr. 120. 1619 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 100 (15 Sept.).
To be chargitt to the nixt day 1628 Misc. Spald. C. V. 224.
On the wast ground for this present yeir, the east grond the nixt yeir 1642 S. Leith Rec. 40.
The comunione … was to be selebrat the nixt twa Lords dayes 1643 Strathbogie Presb. 38. 1659 Lanark B. Rec. 173.
The first yeir to lyme … the nixt four to be corne … the nixt tua yeir to ly lie 1695 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 6.
To be cited to the nixt Lords day(2) 1493 Reg. Paisley 404.
The nixt lauchfull day therefthyr folowing c1515 Asl. MS. I. 267/16.
The nixt ȝere efter come Eduard Baliole 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 237.
To be the nixt morn efter Law Sonday c 1570 Black Bk. Taymouth 121.
At the nyxt Belten eftir that(3) 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 8.
This nixt inschowing yeir

b. Also placed after the noun.With the designations of days of the week and term-days, without article or demonstrative. c 1532–50 Breadalbane P. (Reg. H.).
The feist of Andermes nixt 1552 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 483.
At Witsounday nixt 1575 Conv. Burghs I. 46.
Betuix and the first day of August nixt 1577 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 34.
Quhill Witsonday nixtis 1579 Inverness Rec. I. 266. 1588 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 422/2.
The v and vj days of Februar nixt 1595–6 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 175.
[16 January] to preif the same the provest [etc.] … assignit Tysday nixt the xx day of Januar 1595 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 148.
Nixtt 1616 Haddington Corr. II. 131.
Nixt 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 337.
Nyxt 1633 Peebles B. Rec. I. 372. 1639 Elgin Rec. II. 235.
To intymate upon Sonday nixt that … Sonday cum aucht dayes is ordeant to be a day of … fasting 1639 Spalding I. 216.
Vpone Thuirsday nixt the 20th of Junij 1669 Kirkwall Chart. 92.
Againest Saturday nixt 1671 St. A. Presb. 88. 1691 Glasgow B. Rec. IV. 11.

c. Nixt before, that immediately precedes in point of time. c1500 Barounis Lawis 4.
The rolment of the nixt court before 1551 Hamilton Cat. 272.
We ar all dettouris to the blissit Virgin nixt eftir Christ

d. At the nixt, ? = at once, immediately. 1511 Aberd. B. Rec. in Dunb. (S.T.S.) III. 338.
All pynouris … to enter to morne at the nixt & cleing the townne of all myddingis

6. In various above senses, in predic. use governing a noun or pronoun (orig. dative), quasi-prep.:Close to, alongside; next in order to; (immediately) after.Also transf. c1450-2 Howlat 316.
Ernes … Nixt his celsitud forsuth secoundlie apperd a1500 Bk. Chess 2110.
The alphyne that is placit nixt the king 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 220.
Nixt hir raid … Twelf damisellis c 1505 Reg. Cupar A. I. 261.
Liand in the Baitchelhil haucht nixt the sandy knoys c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 490.
He that sittis me nixt Id. xxvi. 55. 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 13.
Ferithais, the secund king quhilk rang nixt Fergus 1539–41 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 290.
The laich chalmeris nixt & besouth the chapell c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 99.
Nixt them, ane thowsand futemen in ane rout 1555–6 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 183.
To set up twa pannallis nixt the land 1614 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 349. c 1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 548.
Nix Mulruy, half a mile from it, is Down 1662 Crim. Trials III. 606.
The Devill alwayis takis the maiden in his hand nix himtransf. c1590 Fowler I. 69/64.
To ludge them nixt thair shame 1660 1st Rep. Hist. MSS. 310.
And drink it nixt your heart in the morning

b. In the same use with to. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxviii. 16.
So nixt to symmer wynter bene, Nixt eftir confort, cairis keine, Nixt eftir myd nycht, the myrthfull morrow, Nixt eftir joy, ay cwmis sorrow 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. v. 388.
As he satt nixt to him 1625 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 347.
Houssis nixt to the laichest lofting 1681 Corshill Baron Ct. 155.
The said Johne confest he being nixt in his lissure to the said corne could not cleng himself

c. Approaching most nearly (to another or to something else) in respect of rank, order, degree or the like; also nixt to (unto), efter, under.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 461.
Thu nixt God is my fadir c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1592.
He is secund best nixt the kinge c1450-2 Howlat 329.
Marchonis … Nixt dukis in dignite c1515 Asl. MS. I. 311/21.
[The] disciplis that Crist chesit nixt the apostelis to preche His faith a1568 Scott xii. 35.
I ȝow luf Nixt God(2) 1533 Boece xiii. viii. 516.
[The] Counstable quhilk nixt to the King is ane authorite having power [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 520.
From a zealous affectioun to your majesties welfair, nix to the honor of God 1675 Cullen Kirk S. 5 Nov.
The poor school boyes that ar neirest in blood to my self … have the first preference and nixt unto them any poor boy of my name(3) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 13/14.
The weilfair of thy maiestie, nixt efter God to vs … maist deirbelouit in erth(4) 15.. Clar. iv. 2692.
This kingrik … standis imperiall of degrie Nixt under France

7. In various above senses in predic. use passing into adv.: Next in order (in position, in a succession or series, in time); immediately following; next thereafter.Also with adv. or phrase or clause complement. Also Nixt-to-cum.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 246.
My taill it is nixt Id. xxvi. 43.
Nixt in the dance followit Invy Id. lxxii. 41.
Nixt all in purpour thai him cled 1513 Doug. v. iii. 94. Ib. ix. 35. 1514 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 147.
The person that suld be nixt to occupy that place 1531–40 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. xx.
That the samyn be nixt callit 1545 Chart. Coupar A. II. 196.
The Baitschelehill nixt and immediate on the est syde 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 134. c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 220.
Nixt to the secund schortlie I proceid 1567 G. Ball. 82.
Nixt lufe ȝour nichtbour as ȝour sell 1567 Sat. P. vi. 113. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 22. 1622-6 Bisset I. 67/10. 1631 Justiciary Cases I. 162.
Nixt the act reules accoirding to the dispositioun of the commoun law 16.. Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 205.
We have nixt the old castle and tour of Eliestoun c1650 Spalding I. 142.(2) 1555 Glenartney Doc.
And vtheris places nixt adiacent till our said forest 1584 Reg. Privy C. III. 718.
The cuntreis nixt adjacent 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 60.
It suld be lesum to the burgh nixt adjacent 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 35.
Ane rige of land lyand nixt adjacent to ane uther rige 1627 Orkney Rentals iii. 39.
Gramsay is nixt adjacent 1666 Old Ross-shire II. 83.
Such persones who lives nixt adjacent to the toune — 1529 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 10.
The ii roundis nixt abon the woltis — 1561–3 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 432.
And the uther durre nixt besyd it — c1515 Asl. MS. I. 163/20.
Nixt beȝonde that is Orknay(3) 1483 Acta Conc. II. cv.
On Tisday that nixt cummis 1501 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 89.
That the gild court begyn on Fryday nixt cummis 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 177.
Michaelmes that nixt cummis 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 70.
Vpoun Wednisday nixcumis 1573 Reg. Soltre 227.
Appointit Tuysday nixt cumis 1585 Burntisland B. Ct. 13 July.
Betuix Vitsonday lastwas and Mertimes nixtcumis(4) 1389 Cambuskenneth Cart. 260.
At Witsonday nixt for to cum(5) 1410 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I. 30.
On Lammas ewyne nixt following 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 256/1.
Within a ȝere nixt and immediat followin the date of this respitt 1539 Reg. Cupar A. II. 5.
For … nynetene ȝeris nixt and immediatlye following the termes of Beltane [etc.] Ib. 10. 1547 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 255.
For tene yeris nixt and immediat follovand the ische and outrunin [etc.] 1565 Instit. Ct. Sess. 13 b.
The xxi day nixtfollowing the executioun(6) ?1438 Alex. ii. 5239.
Syne efter nixt sat Arrestes 1411 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I. 30.
Nixt eftir Michelmes nixt to cum 1501 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 638.
For the … space of five ȝeris nixt efter the day of the redemyng [etc.] 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 302/1. 1513 Doug. v. ix. 93.
Nixt eftir quham 1515 Fife Sheriff Ct. ii.
All actionis … wer … continuit to the heid court nixt eftir Pask 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 34.
Nixt eftir the failye be notourlie knawin to the saidis provest [etc.] 1533 Gau 9/26.
This command followis nixt effter the iii commandis pertenand to God 1559 Inverness Rec. I. 36.
Betuix this … and Fasternis ewyne nixt hyireefter followyng 1562-3 Winȝet I. 29/24.
Can ȝe think him in ony vther gre, bot nyxt efter to speir gif Christ be borne? 1585 James VI Ess. 56. 1587 Boyd Fam. P. No. 71 (22 July).
Within thrie dayis nixtefter thai be chairgit be yow thairto a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1826.
Ȝule came never but Pasche came nixt efter 1625 Galloway P.
Betuix Pasch and Beltan nixttherefter 1681 Acts III. 246/2.
Thrie ȝeiris nixt efter thair interie

b. Also, next before (effor) or preceding (a date or occasion). 1456 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 15.
Vpoun the day nixt befoir Michalmes day c1515 Asl. MS. I. 330/13.
The … age … nixt effor the day of jugement 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 150.
At sindrie tymes nixt preceding the moneth of December

8. Comb. with (compar. or superl.) adj.:That immediately follows or is next in order to (what the compar. or superl. identifies); = second (smaller, best, etc.). 1588 King Cat. iv.
Giff ȝe find nocht the same, take the nixt les 1591–3 Sc. N. & Q. IX. 116.
The nixt best compter claythe of reid welvot c1610 Melville Mem. 151.
[They] wer fain to do the nyxt best a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 272.
Their nixt imediat superior