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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.

Next, a. Also: nexte, nexit(e, nex, neixt, naixt. [ME. and e.m.E. next(e, nexst(e, nekste, nekist, e.m.E. also nex (1560), OE. néahst(a, néhst(a superl. of néah near. Cf. also Nixt and Nest(e.]

1. Nearest, closest; adjacent, neighbouring. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 15 (B).
And gyfe the ayre be nocht in the kynryk bot in the nexte kynryk c1475 Wall. v. 100.
To the next woode twa myil thai had to gang Ib. 128. 1684 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. XXXVI. 146.
Never to harbour … rebells … but to delate them … to the next magistrat 1698 Dunferm. Weavers 182.
In his next neighbour's hand; Pitcairn Assembly (1752) Pref. ix. Ordains the constables … to carry of the strangers, beggars, forth of the toun to the next landward

2. Closest (relative), most immediate (heir). Also absol.(1) c1420 Bute MS. 174.
Gyf he deis his wyf sal hafe his hyre or his nexte frende 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 184 b (6 Oct.).
Next and laufull air to his fader(2) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 89 (A).
absol. He sal proffer that lande … to the next of the ayris & gif the next of the ayris will by that lande [etc.] Ib. c. 98 (A).
He that gaf him that ilk lande … or the next of the frendis salbe [etc.]

3. The next in order. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 110 (B).
He sal tak wytnes of lele men of the toune or ellys of the nexte toun that he passys thrw 1494 Halyb. 11.
Excep thir thyngis wryttyn on the nex laif

4. Next in point of time; immediately following.Also following the noun.Also, next … gangand be fore, = immediately preceding.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 1136.
The next Lentryn c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 567 (C).
Apone the next folowinge day 1431 Ayr B. Ct. 3 Dec.
A dom defferit to the nex curt 1443 Reg. Great S. 86/2. 1497 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 80.
To answar to the nex cowrth as the sycownt cowrth 1509 Prestwick B. Rec. 41.
Betuex and the next Lammes 1529–30 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 104.
Fra this neixt Setterday furtht c 1563 Reg. Panmure I. xxxiii.
Retornit agane the next ȝeir … about the Lawmes 1630 S. Leith Rec. 19.
The heall websters to be warnit all to the naixt day(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1363 (C).
Of the day next the dawyng(3) 1384 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 5.
That speciall trew … hauenand the force & effecte in all poyntz as the next trewe gangand be fore

5. Governing a noun, quasi-prep. or with to, in various above senses: Nearest to; close or adjacent to; following closely upon.(1) 1375 Barb. xx. 24.
The landis of Northumbirland That next Scotland thar wes liand a1400 Leg. S. xliii. 22.
Next hire flesch … Scho had al tyme the harsk hare c1420 Ratis R. 134.
And infortone thar next belys 1464 7th Rep. Hist. MSS. 736/1.
Thar laris … next the wtmest grese 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 9.
A rode of land liand next the venale c1475 Wall. ii. 21.
Ay next the wode Wallace gert leiff his hors 1611 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 339.
In the wondok next that(2) 1524–5 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 74.
Jokee Brydin … is lawfull ayr neixt and immediatlie to Jhone Brydin

6. Predic., passing into adv.: Next in order, next in time, next thereafter.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 378.
Next the souerane signe was sekirly sene 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 73.
Neixt 1649 Wemyss Chart. 233.
Neixt, I ordin my Skots diamond ring for my dir faither(2) 1496 Acta Conc. II. 42.
Agane Setterday that next cumis 1515 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 156.(3) 1384 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 5.
The xix day of Auerill next forto cumme(4) 1462 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 371.
On to … Wytsonday cum tva ȝeris next folowande the date of … thir presentis 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 15.
Quhill Luxmes next folouande 1474–5 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II. 332. 1480 Acta Conc. I. 55/1. 1482 Bamff Chart. 31.
Nexit folowand 1498 Acta Conc. II. 180. 1520 Maxwell Mem. 245.(5) 1398 Acts I. 574/1.
The Thursday next efter Pask 1407 Bk. Carlaverock II. 418.
Within twa ȝer nexite aftyr the makyng of thir lettyrs 1443 (1450) Reg. Great S. 86/2.
The foure hede courtis next thireftir haldin at Kincardyne 1482 Bamff Chart. 31.
At the fest of Sanc Martyn nexit thareeftir folowing 1510 Rec. Earld. Orkney 86.
The feist of Allhallomess nex efter the dait of this present writ 1526 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 120 a.
Failȝeand that the day be nocht laufull, the neixt efter daye immediatlie folloand 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. iii. 317.
Proxime evenit tibi, next efter that came to thé

b. Also, next before. ? a 1400 Bute MS. 141.
Apon swylk a day nexte befor swylk a fest