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.

Nete, a. Also: neit, neate, nait. [e.m.E. neat(e (1542), appar. AF. neit: cf. Net a. See also Nait a.²]

1. Clean, unsullied, undefiled, in lit. and fig. senses. = Net a. 1.In earlier use, only in Irland and Loutfut. Chiefly coupled with clene or clere.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 54/26.
Be the wertu of this peticiounewe cum to the beatitud of clene & nete consciens Ib. 145/6.
Sche is full of grace cleire and nete of all malediccioune Ib. 18/29. 1494 Loutfut MS. 39 b.
He … wes a man rycht vertues in dedis of noblesse, clere & nete(2) c1590 Fowler I. 328/9.
I hate the Inglish mutin man, the Scottish brave and neate [: vndiscreit](3) 1667 Lauder Jrnl. 99.
The streets are but narrow at Poictiers and none of the neitest. Orleans hath wery neit streets 1688 Misc. Bann. C. III. 258.
That he keep the library nait and clean

2. That remains after deductions, net. 1679 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 363.
There is restand to him of nete ballance the soume of eight hundered eightie pounds

3. Of a method or contrivance: Neat, clever and efficient; 1678 Fugitive Poetry II. xxxiv. 3.
Mitchell must die … Though in a nait way to get him discust It pussills witts