Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NUIST, v., n. Also noost. [nøst]
I. v. 1. To keep eating, to munch away (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), of a horse: to chew food with the grinders.Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 110:
Dowie winter comin' yet, When I maun noost my strae.
2. To pummel, beat.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 366:
When two are boxing, and one gets the other's head beneath his arm, he is said to nuist him with the other hand.
II. n. 1. The action of the grinders of a horse in chewing (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).
2. A blow (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 366).
3. Fig. A greedy, ill-disposed, ignorant person (Ib.).
[Prob. deriv. of Knuse, q.v. Cf. also Knoost.]
