Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

(Nefe-,) Neif-full, Ne-, Neiful, n. Also: neifffull, neiwfulle, nief-full, (neidfull). [Only Sc. Also in the mod. Sc. and north. Eng. dial.] A fistful or handful; the amount which fills one's fist. a1400 Leg. S. xxv. 758.
Julyane … His neful tuk of his blud red & kyst it vpe agane the lyft 1589–90 Burntisland B. Ct. 23 Jan.
That he drew thre or four neidfull off aittis fourth of the said stak 1592 Conv. Burghs I. 381.
The complent … of Lenerk aganis the burch of Glesquo vplifting … of … ane neif full of ewirrie wecht of voll or ane fleische of the pak 1593 Ib. 398.
Ane neiff full 1594 Ib. 433.
Ane neiffull a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1768.
Ye ken how manie huted neifuls maks a patful of plum peis potage 1616 Shetland Sheriff Ct. MS. 24.
Tua neiffullis of maill 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 89.
The beggar wifes and stirrows ware sure to be their, piking them [sc. apples] furth in neiwfulles on all sydes 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 4.
A nief full of prunes