Old English

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Etymology

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From Proto-West Germanic *nāhawisti. Cognate with Old High German nāhwist (neighbourhood), Icelandic návist (presence). Equivalent to Old English nēah (close, near) +‎ wist (being, essence).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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nēawist f

  1. neighbourhood (area around one's home)
  2. the vicinity of anything: proximity, neighbourhood, surrounding area
  3. companionship, fellowship
    • late 10th century, Ælfric, Lives of Saints
      Sē þeġn wæs wuniende butan wīfes nēawiste, forþan þe his ġebedda ġefaren wæs of life.
      The thane was living without the companionship of a wife, for his consort had departed from life.

Declension

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