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.

(Nese,) Neis, Neys, Neese, Neeze, Niz, v. [ME. (14th c.) and e.m.E. nese(n, e.m.E. neese, neeze: cf. ON. hnjósa (Norw. njosa, nysa, Sw. nysa, Da. nyse), OHG. niosan (Germ. niesen), MLG. nêsen, neysen, MDu. niesen (Du. niezen).] intr. To sneeze; appar. also, to snort. — 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 124.
Thar is sic haist in thi hed. I hope thou wald neys [: seys, beys, leys; v.r. neis] 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Sternuo, to neese ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 141.
O quam saepe nizavit a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 47.
To pray when the clock striketh or when one neeseth Ib. 112.
Unlucky … for folks to neeze putting on theirshoes