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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.

Nere-, Neirnes, n. Also: ner-, neer-, near- and -nes(s)e, -nis. [f. Nere a.¹ or adv.²: e.m.E. nere- (1539), neer- (1584), nearenes(se (1577).] Nearness, closeness, in senses of Nere a.¹ or adv.²

1. Closeness of kinship or blood relationship or of intimacy or friendly regard. 1442 (1444) Reg. Great S. 63/2.
For naturale affection, nernes of kyn and blude and [etc.] 1456 Hay I. 137/18.
For caus of lygnage and cheritee or othir speciale caus of nerenes 1525 St. P. Henry VIII IV. i. 341.
According to the neirnese of thair blud 1525 Douglas Corr. 105. Ib. 117.
Neirnes a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cxii. 49.
Neirnes of kyn na thing thai rak 1579 James VI in Laing MSS. I. 29.
Quhilk the neirnes of oure blude … deservis 1631 Justiciary Cases I. 182.
Considering the neerness of the Marques Hammiltoun to his maiestie

2. The state of affecting one closely or directly, immediacy, particularity. 1471 Acts II. 100/1.
The mater of the mone … twechis the hail body of the realme in gret nernes 1492 Myll Spect. 278/14.
I will nocht expreme it bot referris that to woman to quhom it pertenis to maire nerenes

3. Close proximity in space. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 68.
Quhy forsuik ȝe … neirnes to the court 1607 Acts IV. 388/2.
By the neirnes and vicinite of the Kingis [way] passing throw the samin 1645 Alyth Par. Ch. 77.
Be reason of neirnis of the enemy