nait
English edit
Etymology 1 edit
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.
Verb edit
nait (third-person singular simple present naits, present participle naiting, simple past and past participle naited)
- (transitive) To refuse; deny; disclaim.
Etymology 2 edit
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.
Verb edit
nait (third-person singular simple present naits, present participle naiting, simple past and past participle naited)
- (transitive) To use; employ.
- (transitive) To go over; recite; repeat.
- (reflexive) To exert oneself.
Etymology 3 edit
From Middle English naite, from Old Norse neyte, neyti (“use”), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“use”).
Alternative forms edit
Noun edit
nait (plural naits)
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; profit; foredeal; advantage.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; end; purpose.
Etymology 4 edit
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”).
Adjective edit
nait (comparative naiter or more nait, superlative naitest or most nait)
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Useful; good at need; fit; able.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Quick and effective; deft; skilful.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) In good order; trim; tidy; dainty; clean.
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nait
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nait