A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1554-1566, 1650-1659
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Nigh, Ney(e, a. and adv. Also: nyghe. Compar. nigher, neyer, neyar. [e.m.E. and ME. nigh, nye, nie, ney, etc., OE. néah: cf. Ne and Nyest.] Near, nearly, almost. In compar. also ? = next, the nearest subsequent.(a) 1554 Knox III. 287.
Yow were nyghe the lande c1650 Spalding II. 32.
Now I haue nigh donecompar. 1659 Stitchill Baron Ct. 17.
To witt aught punds presently, awght punds at Mertinmes nigher 1660 yeires(b) 1558-66 Knox I. 461.
Our men warr approched ney to Restalrig 1558-66 Ib. II. 44.
Upoun the pairtes of Lowthiane that lay neye to Edinburgh 1558-66 Ib. 356.
Ney by the space of the schote of ane arrow 1558-66 Ib. 357.
Thair fell ney a hundrethcompar. 1558-66 Knox I. 204.
A galay that approched neyar then the rest was so doung with the cannoun 1559 Ib. VI. 99.
The enemye hath place to practis not only amongis us, but also neyer your selfes
