nighen en · VERB
Etymology
From Middle English neiȝnen, equivalent to nigh + -en. Cognate with German nähnen.
Meanings
-
(intransitive) To come near; approach.
[...] with so horrible countenance, that no man dare not nighen towards him.
1807, George Burnett, Specimens of English prose-writers:
-
(transitive) To bring near; appropriate.
If you take an apple from the table you (1) reach forth the hand to it, (2) you close your fingers on it, (3) you nighen or bring back your hand with it.
1886, William Barnes, A glossary of the Dorset dialect:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| nighened | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| nighened | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| nighening | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| nighens | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |