Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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

(Nede-,) Neidnail(l, v. Also: neyd-, need- and -naile, -nale. [Appar. f. *nede-nail n., unrecorded in Older Sc., but in the later dial. as need-nail (1732), LG. neednagel, Flem. nij(d)nagel, a clinched nail, f. MLG. neden, e.m.Du. neeten, e.m.Flem. nij(d)en, to clinch a nail. The later dial. also has need-nail v. (1752–1808). Only Sc.] tr. To secure firmly in the shut condition (a door, window, chest etc.) by means of (? clinched) nails; to nail up (? with clinched nails). b. To fasten securely by nailing, (? with or as with a clinched nail). 1530 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. viii.
The wranguis … spolacioun … of his duelling housis of the brewland callit the Hawhill neydnailand the durrys 1562-3 Winȝet I. 139/29.
Wtheris … hes in thare imaginatioun cloisit vp, slot it and neidnalit the samin ȝettis of our hæretage 1580 Reg. Privy C. III. 337.
Quhill he neid naillit and lockit the duris thairof 1586 Edinb. Test. XVI. 114.
Ane kist neidnaillit at Witsonday last … tua kist full of geir neidnaillit at the samyn tyme 1608 Melrose P. I. 42.
He … closed and neidnailled the mouthes of all the schaftis, except sic as wer necessar for voyding the water from the myne 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 44. 1643 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 18. 1664 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 576.
They … pulled down severall of the doors of the said house and neidnailled others 1669 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 119.
The … doors sufficiently neidnailled and put fra opening 1674 Reg. Privy C. IV. 3 Ser. 214.
They … uncovered the chimney of the chamber, which his wyfe had … neidnailled the windowes thereofb. 1661 Old Ross-shire II. 49.
And ordaines to neid nail his ear in respect he was accusit in the last court for thift