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.

Nere, Neir, compar. adv.¹, prep. and a.² Also: ner, neere. [ME. nere, neer, also ner, neor, nier, OE. néar (néor, nér, nýr) compar. of néah Nigh a. and adv. Cf. Ner and Nereadv.²]

1. Nearer, closer.Neir and neir, nearer and nearer, ever more close. 1375 Barb. xii. 33 (E).
Schyr Henry … Come on a sted a bow schote ner [C. a merk-schot neir] Befor all othyr that thar wer Ib. xvi. 258 (C).
The King and all that with him war Raid furthwarde in-to bettir aray And neir [H. neere, E. nerar] to-giddir than ere did thai ?1438 Alex. i. 2962. Ib. ii. 7114. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 45.
Then the rest fled, and the Scottis drew neir and neir

b. More closely or intimately. 1561 Beze Ane Oration 64.
We mought be so muche the nere united and incorporated with him 1572 Sempill Sat. P. xxxviii. 18.
I[n] greis neir to Ganȝelon nor grit Charlie Mane

2. prep. Nearer or closer to. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1533 (Wr.).
The streame … growes ay broader nere the sea, Sen over the lin it came Id. Son. xlvi. 6.
Sharper shuters ner the mark will shute 1590 Crim. Trials I. ii. 202.
The said eird being the neir the see flude

3. compar. adj. Nearer, closer at hand. 1375 Barb. iii. 600.
He … saw … that he had na ner socouris Then the Kingis flote