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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.

Nede, Neid, n. Also: ned, neide, neyd(e, need(e, nead(e. [ME. ned, ME. and e.m.E. nede, need (ME. also nyede, nud(e, node, noede), OE. níed (nýd, néd) and néod (and also néad).] Need.In earlier verse rhyming with bede (prayer), dede, deid (deed), drede (dread), med (reward), seide (seed), spede (speed), wede (garment), yhede p.t., also manheid, etc.: see the examples given below and W. Heuser in Anglia XVIII. 114–16, 123–4, XIX. 335. In later verse (e.g. Maitland, Montgomery) also rhyming with dede, deid (dead), fede, feid n., procede, remede and leede n. (lead).See also Mister n. 5 and 6 for some further examples of senses 2 and 4 b.

1. Constraining force, compulsion exerted by one person on another.Apon nede, perforce. a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 388.
Scho … bad hyr say [that] scho wes nere Quhen the monk assalȝeit sa Hyr laydy thar for ned to ta c1420 Wynt. iii. 196.
This wyff swa on hyr husband yhede That hym behowyd apon nede Tell hyr all the suthfastnes

2. Compelling necessity arising from circumstances, compulsion by circumstances to a certain course of action.Freq. predicative in impers. constructions, as to worth neid (= become necessary) (to a person) to do something, (it) is neid, it is necessary, quhare, quhen, (als oft) as, gif etc. nede be(is, where etc. there is a necessity, where it is necessary. Also to se nede (is), to see the necessity, to have nede (= to be under a necessity) to do something.(1) ?1438 Alex. i. 1408.
He could fle fairly … Quhan neid him strenȝeit to hald his way Ib. ii. 9622.
He left his dule for nede was his c1400 Troy-bk. i. 114.
We had no motyf bot of ned [: sted] 1456 Hay I. 173/3.
Quhat nede war him than stele away? 1513 Doug. ix. iv. 6.
Feill tymys in hasty effeir for dreid The portis vissy thai, gyf ocht war neid 1562-3 Winȝet II. 18/21.
Sen the canoun of the Scriptuiris is perfyte, … quhat neid is that till it be ionit the auctoritie of the Kirk? 1567 Acts III. 45/1.
That cliphousis be maid within evyry burcht quhair neid requiris a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxviii. 54.
And gif that neid to slumber me constraine a1586 Kamington in Maitland Geneal. Setoun 42.
Bot neid compel'd him for to leue the land 1701 Boharm Kirk S. 31 Aug.
They obliedging to find him materialls … when need requires(2) 1375 Barb. xix. 209.
That hym worthit neyd to pay the det That na man for till pay may let c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1952.
Naulus wist thaim worthid neid Pas by costes of his lond(3) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 66/7.
Neid is till ws to labour for the saifgairde of the trew fayth c 1566 Fife Sheriff Ct. 407.
Gif the persoun accusit … can nocht schaw furth his awin caus … so weill as neid wer(4) ?1438 Alex. ii. 10305.
It was na neid to bid him strike c1450-2 Howlat 33.
All thar names to nevyn as now it nocht neid is a1500 Henr. Fab. 2025 (H).
Ȝit sall I sweir, suppois it be not neid, Be Juppiter c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiv. 13. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 76/5.
Albeit a fer gretear number … mycht hef bene to thame accumpaniit bot thare wes na neid a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx. 158.
It wes no neid I wys To bid ws vther kys(5) 1533 Gau 4/18.
It is greit neid to informe and tech [etc.](6) 1505 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 105.
The quhilk Thomas is oblist to haif a hors … and twa seruandis daylie, quhen neid is 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 290/2.
And als oft as neid beis to continew 1513 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 24.
That all induollaris send ane servand … abowt the bog quhar ned is 1515 Reg. Privy S. I. 395/1.
That the said schireffis mak convocatioun of the Kyngis liegis as neid beis 1524 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 219. 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 94.
To exerce all gud and honest actis as neid wair 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 207. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 101.
He was not so weill intertynijt as neid suld haue bene a1578 Pitsc. I. 234/18.
He was not so weill practissit [in jousting] as neid war 1588 Glenartney Doc.
Thairefter direct out lettres thairupoun ane or ma as neid beis 1596 Glasgow Chart. II. 570.
To cleinge his jaxis quhen neid beis 1650 St. A. Presb. 170. 1656 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 79.
And to cause juries … als oft as neid shall bee … to bee summoned(7) 1375 Barb. x. 576 (E).
Giff a man on the wall may get, He sell defend and it be ned Quhill [etc.] — 1407 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 65.
And all oure landes & godes to be distreignit thar to gif nede be 1456 Reg. Panmure II. 240.
Gudis … to be tane … and gyff neid be for to be sald 1478 Acta Aud. 83/2. 1510 Crim. Trials I. i. 112.
And gife neid beis to birne thare housis 1522 Fife Sheriff Ct. 262.
To pund & distrenȝe gif ned wer for the sammyn 1538 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 159. 1548 Stirling B. Rec. I. 52. 1561 Crim. Trials I. i. 415.
And salbe profin gyff neid beis 1617 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 146.
Quhilkis ye may uptak gif neid be in Edinburgh 1638 Kirkcaldy Presb. 125.
To use declinator if neidbes 1674 Lanark B. Rec. 196. 1684 Dunkeld Presb. I. 470.
And, if need bees, I hereby obliedge me to [etc.](8) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1300.
As thu se ned is, thu chasty c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2936.
Thelagonius, that saw neid Ruschit on ane of thaim 1622-6 Bisset II. 243/6. Ib. 244/11.
The maister … suld cast over samekill as he sall see neid(9) ?1438 Alex. ii. 6928.
Sa in this were ȝe traualed are That ȝe haue neid to rest and ly a1500 Sir Eger 800.
If I should meet with yon Gray-Steel I had need to be holden well 1549 Compl. 224. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcix. 61.
And as thai may the pure to help hes neid Ib. cxxx. 86.
Thocht I had neuer sic neid My selffe to wyn my breid 1615 Sutherland Corr. 113.
Thairfore be of gude courage, for I knaw your melancolious humoris haue neid to be expelled 1642 A Second Discovery by the Northern Scout 14.
If he once shakes hands with any, they had need say their prayers

b. On or o(f) nede, also of neads, and with adjectives, as gret, verry, by compulsion of circumstances, compulsorily, imperatively, of necessity, necessarily.(1) 1375 Barb. xx. 170.
The ded … That ilk man mon thole on neid c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 14(C).
And now one neid that hym mor lath is Ib. 660. c1420 Wynt. ii. 294.
The Telchyis wencust … Behuwyd on neyde to ta the flycht Fra pres of men Ib. 528.
All this … Standys yow noucht on nede to trowe Ib. 391.
[: spede] c1420 Ratis R. 416. ?14.. Ship Laws c. 9 (H).
Giff … a maistir of a schip on neid mon hew his mast throu stres of weddir 1456 Hay II. 153/10.
Gif it befell that on nede thé behufit mak certane commissaris a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 332.
Yow worthis on neid For to assege yone castel 1528 Lynd. Dreme 882.
Quhen the heddis ar nocht delygent, The membris man, on neid, be necligent 1533 Boece i. iii. 37, iii. xiv. iii, xv. 113. 1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 69.
[I] man on neid depart wyth it for I ma nocht weill tare heir 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2817.
I on force and neid mon sell my land 1567 G. Ball. 89. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcvi. 29.(2) a1400 Leg. S. i. 654.
Of ned his hart suld have ben sar That fellone iugment to heyre Ib. xxiii. 2.
As we find wrytine in the cred Gud Cristine men mon trew of ned Ib. ii. 651. c1420 Ratis R. 898.
Thar ma na dises bee Than thar of neid sal grow to thé c1420 Wynt. iv. 982.
And off the serwys off a man Off neyde he [Xerxes] held hym payid than Ib. v. 3364.
Off nede swa he oure-takyn wes That hym behowyd to do hys es c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.). 29.
Sen vs behwys all de o neid … we suld resaue it glaidly c1475 Wall. ii. 208.
O der Wallace … Thow most o neide in presoune till endur Ib. ix. 199. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 812.plur. 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 33.
That it of neads sould be buildet ere James culd pan or ruiff therupon(3) c1420 Wynt. vi. 2500.
And in Saynt Margretys Hope belyve Off propyre nede than till arryve a1500 Lanc. 943.
For that I did of werrey nede behws 15.. Dunb. App. i. 97.
Of verry neid we mon byd still c1600 Medical Recipes 94 b.
Perrulus … to lat bluid bot gif it be of gret neid & that moist be efter the middis of the day

c. An instance of this. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 478.
I counsall thé mak vertew of ane neid

3. a. Necessity inherent in the nature of things, a ‘law’ of nature and human affairs.It is nede, it is inevitable, that (something should happen). Only in Nisbet, after Purvey. — c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xviii. 7.
For it is nede that sclaundris cum

b. A logical necessity, a necessary consequence of a process of reasoning …Only on nede, nedis, consequently, inevitably. a1500 Bk. Chess 987.
Knychtis suld be richt werray liberal Or than thair worschipe most on nedis faile a1570-86 Maitl. F. xlvii. 53.
On neid thow man be fals of forse

4. A situation of difficulty, danger or distress or in which help is needed; an emergency, plight.Chiefly in prep. phrases, as at a, that, this etc. nede. At, in (into, intill) nede, in difficulty, in emergency; in some instances appar. merely for reasons of metre or rhyme, as a more or less empty tag. Also for neid and (in) tyme of nede.Also plur.(1) a1500 Henr. Orph. 169 (Ch. & M.).
Orpheus had reuth of his grete nede a1500 Sir Eger 2788.
When I was into most need … He armed me(2) 1375 Barb. ii. 231.
The quhethir he had thar at that ned Full feill that war douchty off deid c1420 Wynt. iv. 758.
And at owre nede syne yhe repayre Fra that yhe refreschyd be c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1195.
To hald folk on ather syde For to supple the wingis at a neid Ib. 930. 1513 Doug. ix. xiii. 44.
Turnus, at sik a neid, Steppys abak 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 155.
For he has abaschit me to se him sa unresoluit at the neid c1590 J. Stewart 80/27.
Help at this neid, O greizlie ghests maling 1600-1610 Melvill 24.
This finding of God at a neid was the beginning of a ritche treassour [etc.]plur. 1456 Hay II. 163/27.
[The subjects of a prince] suld be well sene to and socourit at thair nedis(3) 1375 Barb. vi. 225.
His gentill hert and vorthy Assurit him in-till that neide a1400 Leg. S. i. 94.
I sall helpe thé in this nede Ib. xxii. 673, xxxiii. 325. ?1438 Alex. ii. 1302.
I saw ȝow now in sic ane neid [etc.] c1420 Wynt. ix. 844 (C).
Mony failȝeide in that neyde Cusheis or greis or braseris 1456 Hay II. 102/36.
For God … will reward thé tharfore in thy grete nede c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 263.
He … thame sustenit and in thair neid thaim bet c1475 Wall. ix. 847.
The layff was speris, full nobill in a neid 1480 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I. 52.
Payt me thankfully in myne neyd [etc.] 1490 Irland Mir. I. 149/2.
In oure maist neid … sche js all oure help and suple c1500-c1512 Dunb. vii. 26. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8277.
The greit God … Into my neid hes send me succour sone Ib. 1600. a1568 Bann. MS. 71 b/17.
And to ȝour freind in every neid be kynd 1567 G. Ball. 12.
Thy name than lat vs … call on it in all our neid 1589-1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 26 a.
Lent to Davet Meller ine hes ned, xl pound Ib. 62 a.
Geuene … ine her greit neid iiii pound 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i. 5.
As Theseus in his neid, Conducted by a loyall virgin's threidplur. ?1438 Alex. ii. 528.
He said ‘Perfay, In to ȝour neidis I haue bene ay’(4) ?1438 Alex. i. 1842.
Emynedus the gude at neid c1420 Ratis R. 607.
Dem Cheryte the meik … with twa en gracious at neid, Full of peite Ib. 1405. 1456 Hay II. 57/24.
The quhilk pillare faillis him at nede quhen noblesse of hye corage is slokit c1460 Thewis Wysmen 186.
Thai … helpis al pwre folk at neid [: almous deid] Ib. 438.
[: deid] c1460 Regim. Princ. 159.
Quhair is … thi riches … Thé to supple at neid in thi barnage a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1116.
Than thei nobillis at neid yeid to thair note new c1475 Wall. ii. 55.
A suerd at helpit him at neide a1500 Lanc. 1020. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 333. 15.. Clar. v. 1076. 1567 G. Ball. 107. 1572 Sat. P. xxxvi. 36.
At neid to seik sum succour a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxxix. 12.
Quhair ane is fund ane freind in deid A scoir thair be that failis at neid Ib. lx. 53. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1187 (Wr.).
Their leede ay, at neede ay, Might warne them if they wouldplur. a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 188.
In cas thai mak thé quhiles vext at nedis, Witnes this pig(5) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1017.
Thair with the nobill in neid nyghit hym ner a1500 Bk. Chess 356.
Thir princes suld no aithis vse suthly Bot in to neid a1538 Abell 71 a.
The Kingis brodiris oy of his sone or douchtir in thare gre suld in neid succeid 1535 Stewart 59550.
Most kyndlie is … That euerie freind suld help vther in neid Ib. 35050.
[: dreid] 1567 G. Ball. 94.
The bardit hors in neid sall men dissaif a1568 Bann. MS. 158a/33.
He is ane rekles boy in preis and in neid c1600 Montg. Suppl. vii. 61.
In neid vith speid remeid my crewall cais(6) 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 206.
Schairp from ȝou vent to the lauis for neid Ib. 214.
He hes the lauis and scripture baith for neid(7) 1456 Hay I. 131/10. Ib. 194/21.
That a man in tyme of nede is mare behaldin to his carnale fader na [etc.] 1547–8 Stirling B. Rec. I. 51.
To support … the townis labouris for resisting of the Inglismen now in tyme of neid 1551 Hamilton Cat. 182.
In tyme of extreme neid a sacrament may be ministrit but ony siclyke ceremonyis 1567 Sat. P. iii. 32.
[: steid] 1570 Ib. xxiii. 143.
Auise heiron sen now is tyme of neid [: proceid, deid (= death), dreid] a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxx. 4.
Quha in welthe takis na heid, he sall haue falt in tyme of neid 1596 Dalr. II. 17/15. Ib. I. 73/1.
He could in tyme of neid ather stap a trane or make a trayne

b. Passing into: The condition of being in difficulty or distress through lack of means; want, poverty. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1014.
This haf I drywyn the sewynten ȝere In ned & mony fandinge sere a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 290.
Thai ar pynit with pouerte Quhilk gret neid gerris thar hertis de c1460 Thewis Gud Women 251. a1500 Henr. Fab. 709 (Bann.). Id. Test. Cress. 321.
I change … thy pomp and thy riches In mortall neid 1490 Lennox Mun. 136.
Gif ony of thaim salbe constrenȝheit be neyde or othir ways to sell … ony of thar partis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 140.
How thow come in grit neid … beggand koy and ox 1535 Stewart 32058. 1536–7 Sc. Hist. Rev. VII. 359.
Without the said Williammis heirschip and extreme neid c1568 Lauder Minor P. iii. 50.
Als weill in neid as in prosperitie 1563–4 Rec. Earld. Orkney 272. a1568 Weddirburne in Bann. MS. 288 b/125. 1567 G. Ball. 18.
Thy nychtbour lufe, and als supplie His neid, as Christ hes done for thé a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 28. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxxvii. 2.
Then wo & wrack diseis & neid bene niest

c. To have nede, to be in difficulty, danger or want, to be in need of rescue or help of some kind. 1375 Barb. xi. 640 (E).
I will me speid To help him for he has [gret] ned; All umbeweround with his fayis is he a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 123.
Hou thou has cherytabil bene Til al thame thu saw haf nede Ib. xliii. 609. ?1438 Alex. ii. 2790.
Quhen lord has nede agane his fa c1420 Ratis R. 1398.
Quhen thow has ned 1456 Hay I. 123/28. Ib. 145/33.
Na all men suld help him gif he had nede and had nocht sufficiandly to mak were with c1460 Thewis Wysmen 240. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiii. 43.
Ȝe that hes the lawe to leid … Helpe thame has neid c 1646 Fam. Innes 237.
Bot I loue to trye a frind befor I haue muche neid

5. The fact of requiring, lacking or wanting something necessary. b. plur. What one needs, one's (physical, material or immaterial) requirements or wants. One's nedis of nature, one's physical needs. c1420 Wynt. iv. 1852.
The armwrys and the wapnys all That to thare nede wes lyk to fall 14.. Reg. Maj. folio 5 (A).
Be strynth of mene of armes endantand thar enymys & rebellouris at ned of the king rycht c1500-c1512 Dunb. xvii. 37.
Sum wald tak all this warldis breid And ȝit not satisfeit of thair neid 1565 Cal. Sc. P. II. 205.
The forces … to be in all redynes to joyn with us as evir our neyd sall requyir a1578 Pitsc. I. 4/12.
To pray me think it is verray necessarie that I sould fall considdering my neid that I most haue for laik of dew studdie ? 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvii. 108.
Bot send thame heir to oure regalitie And we sall see gif we can serve thair neid 1681 Inverness Rec. II. 297.
For suplieing the present neid untill money come inb. (1) 1399 Acts I. 212/1.
That thar be raysit a general contribucion … for commoun nedis of the kynrike & the commoun profyte c1450-2 Howlat 29.
Mendis and medicyne for mennis all neidis 1456 Hay II. 93/34.
Than spak the … counsale of the realme dayly of the nedis of the realme a1500 Sir Eger 2258.
I shall quite you all your needs a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 89.
Adam … Wanderand in wa … his neidis to purches c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 467.
I have ane secrete serwand … That me supportis of sic nedis 1513 Doug. vi. ix. 170.
Tha that … Tuke nocht thar nedis tharof, nor na man gave 15.. Dunb. App. i. 463. a1568 Scott xxvi. 57.
Thay wald men nvreist all thair neidis a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxvi. 4.(2) a1538 Abell 13 b.
Thai fenȝit to pas furth to thare nedis of natur Ib. 85 a.
And now we cast petis to get the nedis of natur

c. To have nede of, also with ellipsis of of, to be in want of, require, need (something), to miss the help of (someone).(1) 1375 Barb. iii. 316.
We … haffis oft-sys of met sik ned a1400 Leg. S. i. 252.
We hawe no nede [MS. mede] of thi pece Ib. iii. 840.
Ned [: dred] Ib. v. 650.
Ned [: ved (= garment)] Ib. xxvi. 752.
Ned [: as we red] ?1438 Alex. i. 1728.
Thay had great nede that day Of Dauclene and of Tholomere Ib. 1868.
Of leich I trow he sall haif neid Ib. ii. 440.
Gaudifeir … That hes great neid of thy helping 1456 Hay II. 135/21.
A medicyne that he suld … never have nede of othir quhill he lyvit c1460 Alex. (Taym.) fol. 281 a.
For mekle neid & skantnes that I haife Of mother toung a1500 Henr. Fab. 99 (Makc.).
Thow has na corne & thar of I had neid c1500-c1512 Dunb. xx. 19.
Be thow content, of mair thow hes no neid 15.. Dunb. App. i. 63.
Neid [: speid] 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 52.
Quhen he [a young king] has maist neyd of ane tutoure to refrene his insolence c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 216.
He hes neid of ane gude remissioun 1540 Id. Sat. 2449.
And als ȝe se Temporalitie hes neid of correction 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 45.
For quhat neid had he of silver? a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. xviii. 15.
Neid [: deid (= deed): feid: speid] 1615 Crim. Trials III. 292.
For he that wald rewle heir hes both neid of wit and manneheid(2) 1456 Hay II. 49/21.
To geve till othir that he have nede him self a1500 Sir Eger 243.
I had need some me to mend

d. To stand (in) nede of, also to stand in nede to have, to require (something); also elliptically.(1) 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii. 774.
Ȝe happy maids … Who never ȝit have knowne men's perjuries, Nor stand in neid of Argus' hundreth eyes 1616 Rollock Wks. II. 4.
There is nothing which the soul of man inlakes, stands in need of or can desire 1655 Lamont Diary 87.
He alleadging that it did not stand in neide of helpe 1674 Berw. Nat. C. XXV. 140.
You shall command me of what hempt yow stand ned of as sheape as it can be sold(2) 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 260.
We stand in neid to have ane heir … for irrecuverable preiudices is plotting against us(3) 1664 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 212.
To doe euerie wther thing relateing to his charge … as the said schollares of the said schooll stand in neid

e. impers., There is nede of (something). — 1627 Rep. Parishes 132.
Ther is great neade of a schoole but no provisioun for it

6. What one requires to be done; chiefly plur., one's necessary affairs or business.(1) 1375 Barb. i. 254.
Quhethir he his lordis neid suld let And pay fryst that he awcht & syne Do furth his lordis commandyne(2) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 34 (A).
Gif ony burges … war in pilgrimagis or in his nedis in the partis be ȝond the see 14.. Acts I. 11/2.
That al men … in thar office leilly sal lyff and thar awyn nedis leilly sal doo 1513 Doug. ii. x. 151.
Hatit of the goddis, to all nedis onhabill

7. In proverbs, in various above senses.(1) 14.. Acts I. 41/2.
Bot gif … it behovit hym algatis do for nede has na law Ib. 359/2. a1500 Henr. Fab. 731 (Bann.).
For neid may haif no law(2) a1538 Abell 86 a.
I man cum hame agane for neid garris nakit man rin hes he wald say with Christ(3) c1460 Regim. Princ. 167.
Thus mon thou mak of neid vertu a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 478.
I counsall thé mak vertew of ane neid 1535 Stewart 40246. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 159. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvii. 5.(4) a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 142.
A friend is not known but in need Ib. No. 837.
True love kyths in time of need(5) 1597 James VI Dæmonol. 16 (see Kale n. 4). —a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1623 (see Lang a.¹ 2 g).

8. a. Comb. in nede-begane, beset by want (4 b above), nede-bestad, placed in need of something (5 c, d above). b. Attrib. in neid-elemosine (in sense 4 b above).a. (1) a1400 Leg. S. xxiv. 92.
Merciful … Til al that he saw ned begane 1456 Hay II. 81/34.
Grete schame is in king or prince to be pore and nedebegane(2) 1456 Hay I. 251/1.
And thai war nede bestad of lyfing Ib. II. 49/25.
Pure folk that war nede bestad of helpb. 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 15 Feb.
The maisteris of hospitale to gif him neid elemosine the sowme of foure pundis money

c. Nede-peny, what one must pay of necessity (sense 2 above), unavoidable payment. 1456 Hay II. 57/36.
Syne ar thay fast haldand that na gude will part with bot the nede peny