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: 1560-1607
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Nyest, Niest, superl. a. [Cf. e.m.E. nighest, nyghest, nyest, superl. of nigh, nye, nie (see Nigh) and Neste.] Nearest. — 1560 Buke of Discipline 187.
To break [the bread] with other, we think nyest to Christis actioun a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxxxvii. 2.
Quhen houp & hap & weill & health bene hiest, Then wo & wrack diseis & neid bene niest 1607 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 125.
[The prices fixed were the] niest [prices] 1604 Craig i. 9/17.
Of royall blude her nyest agnat heyre
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"Nyest adj. superl.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/nyest>
