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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.

Nech(e, Neich, Neigh, v. Also: negh, neych(e, necht, neith. [ME. nehȝzhenn (Orm), neȝȝen, nehen, neghen, neghȝe, also neihen etc., f. ME. neh, negh(e etc., adv., OE. néah, néh: see Ne a. and adv. Cf. Nich v.]

1. intr. To go, come or draw near, to approach. Freq. const. till, nere or nerar.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 887.
Dame Natur the nobillest nechit in ane, For to ferme this federem(2) 1375 Barb. xvii. 419 (E).
That thar fallbrig mycht neych thartill(3) c1420 Wynt. i. 1160.
Thar is a welle off wattyre clere Bot thare is nane dar necht [W. neigh] it nere Ib. viii. 6951.
Neych ?1438 Alex. ii. 10033.
Neith c1450-2 Howlat 682.
The athill empriour anone nechit him neir Ib. 908.
Nech a1500 Bk. Chess 675.
Neche a1500 Seven S. 1237.
In bed thow sall neuer negh me nere(4) c1450-2 Howlat 47.
Nerar that noys in nest I nechit in ane

2. tr. a. To draw near to, to approach. b. fig. To touch or concern (one).a. a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1476 (S.T.S.).
Bot him to nech he forbad [to] pretendb. c1450-2 Howlat 276 (A).
Sen it nechit Natur thar alleris mastris