Dictionary

nait en · VERB · etymology 1

Etymology

From Middle English naiten, nayten, borrowed from Old Norse neita, later variant of níta (“to deny, refuse”). Cognate with Icelandic neita (“to deny”), Danish nægte (“to deny”), Old English nǣtan (“to annoy, afflict, press upon”). More at nyte, nay.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To refuse; deny; disclaim.

Forms

nait en · VERB · etymology 2

Etymology

From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neyta (“to use, employ”), from Proto-Germanic *nautijaną (“to use”). Cognate with Icelandic neyta (“to make use of, employ”). Related to Old English nēotan (“to use; to enjoy”). More at note.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To use; employ.
2. (transitive) To go over; recite; repeat.
3. (reflexive) To exert oneself.

Forms

nait en · NOUN · etymology 3

Etymology

From Middle English naite, from Old Norse neyte, neyti (“use”), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“use”).

Meanings

1. (Northern-England, Scotland, UK, dialectal) Use; profit; foredeal; advantage.
2. (Northern-England, Scotland, UK, dialectal) End; purpose.

Forms

nait en · ADJ · etymology 4

Etymology

From Middle English nait, nayt, from Old Norse neytr (“in good order, fit, fit for use”), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“useful, helpful”). Compare Old English nyttol (“useful”).

Meanings

1. (Northern-England, Scotland, UK, dialectal) Useful; good at need; fit; able.
2. (Northern-England, Scotland, UK, dialectal) Quick and effective; deft; skilful.
3. (Northern-England, Scotland, UK, dialectal) In good order; trim; tidy; dainty; clean.

Forms

Deriveds

naitly