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.
Quotation dates: 1558-1598
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(Negart-,) Nigart-, Niggardnes(se, n. Also: nygartnesse, nigirt-, nigar-, niggartenes. [e.m.E. nigard- (1535), nygard(1562), niggardnes(se (1612).] Meanness, parsimony, niggardliness. — (a1568 Dunb.) Bannatyne MS 137a/12.
Ȝe tak that nigirtnes [R. nigarnes] of ȝour muder 1558-66 Knox II. 311.
The nygartnesse of thair awin heartis 1572 Satirical Poems xxxiii. 85.
Dame Nigartnes my gluifis hes hint away 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 141/7.
Quhat differis extreame prodigalitie … from extreame niggartenes [v.r. niggardnesse] c1590 Fowler II. 113/2.
Niggardnes
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"Niggardnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/niggardnesse>
