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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.

Nedis, Neidis, adv. Also: nedes, neids, neadis. [ME. and e.m.E. nedes, need(e)s etc., OE. nédes, nýdes, adv. gen. of níed, néd, Nede n.]

1. Of necessity, inescapably, unavoidably, inevitably.Only with the verbs mon (man), most (must) and behuve, and chiefly following these.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii. 5899.
Worship mon nedes, and hardement, Tak thare arrest with hale assent 1551 Hamilton Cat. 284.
Mone neidis follow that certane venial synnis … may be forgevin 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 216.
O Lord, … thy justice man neidis puneis thair crewell murtheris c1610 Melville Mem. 79.
I mon nedis medle and put to my helping hand(2) c1475 Wall. ii. 122.
For weyle or wo thar most he nedis abide a1500 Bk. Chess 1048.
Than most thair lauboure nedis fale c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxiii. 83. c 1572 Buch. in Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxvi.
I most nedis praefer the rude Scottis wyt of Capitane Cocburne(b) 15.. Clar. v. 2080.
Quhan that nature maid impediment … They most neids twine Ib. 2160. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2874. a1578 Pitsc. II. 75/14.
O Lord we knaw suirlie that Thy trew serwandis most neidis suffer for Thy names saik 1580 Skeyne Descr. Well 3.
Quhilk being drunkin is laxative to sindrie and so most neidis be het of qualitie c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiv. 17. Ib. 102. 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. viii. 13.
Neids 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 207.
Our wolls thairby most neids ly inprofitabill in the awneris handis 1646 Ancram & Loth. Corr. I. 196.
So that he most neids go to dyet with luftenants and ensients(c) c1590 Fowler II. 51/21 (see Most v.¹ 1 b).
Neadis

b. Preceding the verb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 787 (Bann.).
That nedis thaj mon do As thai of lang tyme hawe hantit thame to a1500 Lanc. 518.
Your worldly honore nedis most adew Ib. 2340.
To pas nedis me behus Ib. 2677. c1520-c1535 Nisbet III. 343.
Quhair luf is perfite, thair of neidis monn be respect to the waik 15.. Clar. i. 1513.

c. In the irreg. construction it must neidis me (do something), = I must of necessity (do it). 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 24.
Bot sen ȝour grace hes geuin me sic command To mak answer, it must neidis me obey

2. Insistently, brooking no contradiction or opposition.Chiefly following the verbs will and wald, but also most (must).(1) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 464.
Yet wold they nedes insist in it 1569-73 Bann. Mem. 216.
The Lady Home and vtheris wald neidis thraip in his face that he was banist the said toun 16.. Hist. Kennedy 3.
This laird Maktaise wald neidis heff him [a child] to be his foster 1633 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 378.
If the laird of Drum … will neids have a tyme condiscendit upon(2) 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 29.
Howsaever hir gude name wer thairby appairit, scho must neidis ga thither agane