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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.

Nede, Neid, v. Also: ned, neide, neyd, need, nead(e, nied, nid(e. [ME. and e.m.E. nede(n, neede, OE. néodian.] To need.In certain senses (2 b (2), 2 d and, espec., 5 c) also uninflected in the pres. tense where the indicative would normally require the inflexion, ? orig. subjunctive; so also in late ME. (c 1420) and e.m.E.In senses 1 and 3 chiefly in negative contexts.

1. impers. It is needful or necessary.Const. active infin. (to do something), object and passive infin. (something to be done), noun clause (that something be done), and absol.Chiefly it nedis, also with it omitted.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 239.
It nedis nocht to recorde here the dole c1450-2 Howlat 254.
It neidis nocht to renewe all myn vnhele Ib. 708. a1500 Henr. Fab. 35 (Makc.). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9488.
Gif scho was blyith it neidis not for to talk Ib. 9398.(2) 1456 Hay I. 145/31.
And nedis sik men tobe payit in the first begynnyng of thair entree? a1568 Bann. MS. 375a/6.
Off this purpois namair it neiddis be tawcht 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 2.
What a distressed brother I was upon the sea neids not hear be told(3) a1400 Leg. S. x. 211.
It nedyt that he suld mak a tempil c1400 Troy-bk. i. 176.
It nedis ȝe sete ȝour schype to flud c1420 Wynt. v. 3723 (W).
Forthy it nedis that ressoune Thyne vnreullis habandoun(4) 1408–9 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 67.
For to make knawyn til al men & ony alqwhar it nedis 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 172.
With wynnyn and gudyn of the lands quhareuer it nedis 1497 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 60.
To remane within the tone als lang as neidis 1512 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 109.
To big the mylne hous … and red the dame as it nedis

b. With indirect object, chiefly a person, also once a thing.Const. active infin., as it nedis him, etc. (to) do something, and him nedis (to) do something, or absol.(1) 1443 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 44.
Sa that it nedyt vs not to entromet tharewith 1480 Acta Conc. I. 72/2.
It suld nocht hafe nedit the said Alexander to lede ony proces of the said land a1540 Freiris Berw. 450.
Quhat evir I list it neidis me nocht to craif — c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.). 523.
It sal nocht neid to manis wyt to sek ma bukis for wisdome(2) a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 50.
For he trewyt na man vare Quham-of hyme nedyt til have lare c 1390 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 19.
For hys request at this tyme yow nedys nocht tyll haue swylk dowt ?1438 Alex. i. 2975.
Ȝow nedis nocht sa fast to ryde 1401 Aberd. B. Rec. (S.H.S.) 210.
Sa that hym nedit nocht in tyme to cum til mak sic pundyng 1456 Hay I. 238/34.
Na thame nedis nocht to ask sauf conduyt a1500 Henr. Fab. 126 (Makc.). c1475 Wall. xi. 1189.
Me nedis heroff na forthyr for till schaw a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 196. a1500 Bk. Chess 1677. 1513 Doug. vi. ii. 135. — a1500 Henr. Fab. 37 (Makc.).
In hamly langage … Me nedis wryt Id. Test. Cress. 57. 1513 Doug. ii. x. 84.
Thi moderis heist on na wys nedis thé dowt Ib. iii. vii. 49.
Ȝou nedis sewch throw na seys Ib. iv. i. 103.
Thé nedis beseik goddis of thar grace Ib. v. xii. 118. 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 887.(3) ?1438 Alex. ii. 5614.
That the gude King, ay quhen vs nedes, Hechtis and geuis forouttin let 1456 Hay I. 232/23.
For the fader has the sone in his powar and may sell him … at his lyking quhen him nedis Ib. II. 81/37.
A man that … makis him subject quhare him nedit nocht till his olde inymyes a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 410.
To note quhen hym nedis c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 264.
And quhen it nedis ȝow onone note baith ther stranthis

2. Quhat nedis ? a. Const. active infin.: What need is there (to do something) ?Hence = it is unnecessary to do it, no good purpose is served by doing it. c1475 Wall. ix. 314.
Quhat nedis mor off curtassy to tell? a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 506.
Quhat nedis … sic notis to nevin 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 172.
Quhat nedis avant ȝou of ȝour wykkytnes? Ib. v. xi. 78.
To tary ma fatale syngnys quhat suld neid? Ib. iii. iii. 59, vii. 21.

b. Const. indirect obj. and active infin.= What need is there for us, you, etc., to do something ? It is unnecessary for us, you, etc., to do it, no good purpose is served by our, your, etc., doing it.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxi. 359.
Quhat nedis ws fadir hym to cal? a1500 Peblis to Play 75.
Quhat neidis ȝow to maik it sua? c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2644.
Quhat neidith us at utheris seik succour? 1551 Hamilton Cat. 284.
Quhat nedit our salviour to eik thir wordis? a1578 Pitsc. II. 70/5. 1633 Rutherford Christ's Napkin 7.
As if one speared at John who is he that sits upon the throne? He would have answered, what needs you spear?(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 197.
Quhat ned thé to begyne the thing That thu mycht nocht bring til ending

c. Const. noun or pronoun object: What is the need or use of ? hence, there is no need for. c1475 Wall. iii. 28.
Quhat nedis wordis mor? 1513 Doug. xii. xiv. 110.
Oys furth thy chance; quhat nedis proces mar? 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 13. 1540 Id. Sat. 1322.
Quhat maister feind neids all this haist? 1562-3 Winȝet I. 5/1.
Sen ȝour godly leving … be the worthi frutis tharof (quhat nedis mair), is patent to al man! 1569-73 Bann. Mem. 303. 1692 Pitcairne Assembly i. iii. 21.
What needs all this pother about Mr. Salathiel's going back?

d. What neid it, followed by a passive infin., = it is unnecessary, there is no need for it, (to be rehearsed etc.) — 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 7.
How loftily and disdaynfully scho behauit hirself to the King, what neid it be reheirsit?

3. Thare nedis, also then nedis and nedis thare, there is (a) need for (a person or thing).Also const. infin.: There is (a) need for (the person or thing, (in order) to do something).(1) a1500 Bk. Chess 1120.
Quhar a king is present … Thar nedis no luftennand ner about 1562-3 Winȝet I. 17/32.
Thair nedit na mair signis of his lauchfull office 1638-54 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 156.
If his majesties commissioner wer heir present there neidit no report(2) ?1438 Alex. ii. 8734.
Thare nedit na leche on thame to luke 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6064.
The stewartis hart gif it was than on steir, As I beleue thair neidis na man to speir 1589 Douglas Corr. 241.
Gif their neiddis ane precept to warne them to the said court(3) a1500 Sir Eger 2113.
Then needs not any mo witnes(4) 1456 Hay I. 265/27.
That may nocht be kyd opynly. For and it war kend, that nedit thare na bataill

4. intr. To be needful, necessary or requisite.

a. Const. to (also for) some purpose or object. 1375 Barb. iii. 692.
Ankyrs, rapys … And all that nedyt to schipfar Ib. xvii. 352.
With stanys, schot and other thing That nedit till thair defending c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 3038.
All the apparele That to his passage nedis hale ?1438 Alex. ii. 7754.
Thare armour ȝeid thay for to se, To help that nedit for that melle 1446 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 107.
For the bryngyng hayme of the mylstane quhen it hapnis to neide to the said myle

b. Const. til (a person) or personal pron. a1400 Leg. S. xxii. 241.
Sic men [he] socht … & gaf thame almon les & mare As he saw thame nedyt til c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1445.
And syne that refections sere Thame nedede c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 3310.
Bot in the ost thame nedis furriouris a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 550.
All wedis of veir That nedit hym to note gif he nane had

c. absol. 1462 Newburgh B. Ct. 7 b.
He askyt the bailȝeis sel to be set tharto & the comone sele if it nedyt 15.. Clar. iii. 182.
Quhilk wird outhrow [baith] thair heartis brochit … quhilk neidit not I weine, For sorrow aneuch was ellis thame betwine 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 84.
In mair wordis than neidit 1588 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 41.
And geiff ane commissioun neidis, that ye rais the same 1638 Baillie I. 101.
Here a longer dispute than needed fell out

5. tr. a. Of persons: To be under a compulsion or constraint or a necessity, to be obliged, to require or to have need (to) do something.Const. infin. with, and without, to (til, etc.).(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 174 (E).
Sum of thaim nedis but faill With pluch and harow for to get … thair mete Ib. 213.
Quhen all wes doyn him ilkdeill That Crystynman nedyt till have a1400 Leg. S. xxviii. 83. 1456 Hay I. 145/31.
And nedis sik men to be payit in the first begynnyng? c1475 Wall. x. 445.
Abyd, he said, thow nedis nocht now to fle 1490 Irland Mir. II. 136/34.
And than thai war nocht oblist to him for thar produccioun na nedeth nocht to thank him c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxix. 7.
For rekkyning of my rentis and roumes Ȝe neid nocht for to tyre ȝour thowmes Id. lxxxiii. 15.
Neidis nane ȝour payment till dispair 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2097. Ib. 2913. c1552 Id. Mon. 656. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3130.
Had this knicht spendit with measure … He suld not neid to brek ane towre a1578 Pitsc. I. 219/27. 1596 Dalr. II. 262/2. Ib. I. 63/27.
Na man neides to meruel [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 65.
What hes muvit yow yie neid to bost? c1610 Melville Mem. 146. 1610 Breadalbane Lett. 21 July.
Ȝour maister neidis to dout na mair bot frelie proseid 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 323.
Your ladyship shall not neid to busie your selff to seik [etc.] 1648 Comm. Gen. Assembly I. 411.(2) ?1438 Alex. ii. 2636.
Thow nedes for him mak na mane a1500 Henr. Fab. 436 (Bann.).
Ȝe neid nocht be affraid c1475 Wall. vii. 414.
The woman … Cawkit iik ȝett that thai neid nocht gang by 1515 Douglas Corr. 70.
And als we be in na syk danger at we neyd leyf the cuntre 1528 Ib. 123.
We sall nocht neid dout [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6997.
Gif that ȝour grace neidit vpon me call, Ȝe micht gar cry out 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. i. 115.
For swa doyng we neade be the les cairfull of ours a1578 Pitsc. I. 68/5. 1596 Dalr. I. 258/21. 1603 E. Melville Godlie Dreame 288.
Thow neids not feir for I sall go befoir 1635 Hist. Fragm. III. 8.
Though I nied make no long commentarye upon these words 1661 Elgin Rec. II. 297.
Ye neided not takine such fear 1667 Laing MSS. I. 363.
I nid not gif you a caracktor of them, you cnow them so weall 1708 Maxwell Mem. II. 124.
Wee need not be jealoused by our freinds

b. Of things: To require, to be under a necessity (to do or to be).(1) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 885.
Of quham the bontyis nedis not be tald c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiv. 38.
I forsaik God, And all his werkis evin and od, Gif fairar stuff neidis to be 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8926. 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 237.
A taske of this nature … cannot be supposed … to nead to stand in feare of supercilious censure(2) 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 2236.
Nothing laicking seem'd That needs concerne or can Be fitting for ane priuat … man a1699 Skene Agric. MS.
Wheit neids not be sowne immediatlie efter the tealinge

c. See note at head of the entry, before sense 1. 1428 Acts II. 15/1.
That the smal baronis & fre tenandis nede nocht to cum to parliamentis 1449 Ib. 35/1.
Swa that na man nede til haife assouerans of vthir bot the Kingis pece 1456 Hay I. 123/26.
Gif the king nede to have help to defend his realme 1490 Irland Mir. I. 124/9.
And pay sa hie ransone that man on force neid to honour & luf him oure all thing a1578 Pitsc. I. 42/3.
Wther great strength and powar quhilk neid nocht to be raknit at this tyme 1570 Leslie 88.
That slaiers be sey neid not compeir personallie

6. To be in need of, to require.With noun or pron. object. 1375 Barb. xiii. 46.
Thai left eftir thame taknyng That sall neid as I trow lechyng a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 178.
Thai … vthyre witnes nedit nane Bot [etc.] ?1438 Alex. ii. 415.
All that he nedit he with him brocht 1428 Liber Melros 521.
As twichand the plew of lande … the assis saide it nedit na departison 1456 Hay I. 239/16.
Labouraris of the erde … suld be free and nede na sauf conduyt be all lawis a1500 Rauf C. 546.
I neid nane airar myne erand nor none of the day c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 206.
Oft for ane caus thy burdclaith neidis no spredding Id. xvi. 4. 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1049. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 405.
Quhat thing we neid, we myster not to want 1567 G. Ball. 18.
Neidis thow nocht my medicyne, I lose my paine a1568 Bann. MS. 266 b/24. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxiii. 14.
Puir folk amang That iustice neiddis [: speiddis] 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii. 675. 1584 Acts III. 370/2.
Incaice his said work be full of pertineris … and neadis na forder 1600 Crim. Trials II. 121. 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 144.
Ony vther thing the schip neidis a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1526. 1686 Answers to Petition, Reg. Privy C. MS. c 24 Mar.
He regrats … that he should bein so far intrusted as that he neided a prison

b. absol. To have need. a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 246.
The byschepe the quhet … Wysely has departyt thane Eftyr as nedyt ilke mane 1600-1610 Melvill 602.
Provyding that his majestie … sall concur as the claus nided 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints I. 81.
Lord, we are ever needing at thy hand

c. intr. To be in need of (something). ?1438 Alex. i. 1314.
Thai sall neid, I wis, of leching a1500 Henr. III. 92/87.
My scheip to morne quhill houris nyne Will neid of no keping

7. intr. To be in need or in want.sc. of necessaries, esp. of the necessities of life. c1420 Wynt. vii. 1171 (W).
He … wes … liberall of almous Till thaim that nedit, seik or haill a1578 Pitsc. II. 157/14.
It is ane auld saying in Scotland, I may weill sie my freind neid bot I will not sie him bleid a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 215.
Charge your friend or you need Ib. No. 141. 1596 Dalr. I. 114/27.
Al ȝeirlie rentis … he may esteime nathing, nathir neides he quhen all his people without money … flies til armes contrare the aduersar