Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Nede-, Neid-force, n., adv. and ? v. Also: need(e)- and -fors(e. [Nede n.; Force n.]

1. noun. a. Chiefly in the phrases in, on (upon) or of nede-force, also apon a nedeforse, of compelling necessity, inescapably, unavoidably, perforce.(1) 1456 Hay I. 177/34.
That hame agayne behufis him gang on nede fors Ib. II. 26/35.
And than mon it on nede force be governyt be wisedome Ib. 52/17, 116/10. 1549 Compl. 67/35.
Quhar for on neid forse, i vas constrenȝeit to be his sodiour 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6050.
The stewart than … Vpon neid force to the dure did depart(2) 1456 Hay II. 126/12.
It makis grete indisposicioun … and … mon in nedefors engender grete malady(3) 1536–7 Sc. Hist. Rev. VII. 361.
The saidis tenentis … of neid fors had left the saidis landis unmanurit 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (ed.) 192.
Of neid force it man dikeay 1599 Rollock Wks. II. 610. 1638 Bk. Univ. Kirk App. xviii.
Soe of neid-force a course must be taken for getting of these bookes(4) 1456 Hay II. 108/30.
Gif it cumis apon a nedeforse that thou behufis to trow ane

b. It is neidforse, it is a compelling necessity, it is compulsory or obligatory, to do something. — 1549 Compl. 163/15.
It is neid forse to cheis ane of tua euyllis

2. adv. Necessarily, inevitably, perforce. a1500 Seven S. 892.
In a caldron full of pik Neidforce thar behufit him stik 1635 Dickson Hebrews 190.
But a great deal of lesse tyme neede force Ib. 204.
Neede-force the olde church was not altogether ignorant of the imperfection of their legall service Ib. 287.
Wee can not beare out but neede-force wearie under the crosse

3. ? v. To exert strenuous or insistent effort, to strive (to do something). 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 185.
My sweet master saith I shall have houseroom at His own elbow, albeit their synagogue will need-force to cast me out