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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.

Nedy, Neidy, a. Also: nedye, -ie, neidie, neydie. [ME. and e.m.E. nedy, -ie, ME. nedi, neodi (12th c.), e.m.E. needy, f. Nede n.: cf. MDu. nodich (Du. noodig), etc.]

1. That acts as if in need, sparing, parsimonious, grasping. Also absol. as noun.1456 Hay II. 49/27 (see Naro(w a. 2 a). c1460 Thewis Gud Women 251.
Oft-tymis wrecht, nedy kyne Syk neid and stres haldis madenys in That thai are pynd with pouertee 1581 Burne Disput. 104.
Ȝit Candida neidie Vald Beza haue hail, scho is so gredieabsol. 1588 James VI in Cal. Sc. P. IX. 657.
My excessive cowpit from hand to hand, from neydie to neydie, to gredie and gredie

2. Needy, necessitous, impoverished, poor. Also absol. as noun, and fig. c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 456.
Quhair ye your pure and nedye brethren seyis Ib. 558.
Yit had grit ryches … And ye ar nedye, thriftles and threid-bair Ib. 467. 1588 King Cat. 152.
The wages of the poor and nedie bretherabsol. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 14/21.
Thay vexit the pure and nedy c 1563 Reg. Panmure I. xxxvi.
Scho vos … almousful to the pwre and nedie 1587 Glasgow Chart. I. ii. 198.
Neidy 1596 Dalr. II. 261/22.
Nediefig. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxvii. 33.
Quho in warld moist covatus is In world is purast man, I-wis, And moist neidy of his intent c1520-c1535 Nisbet Gal. iv. 9.
Quhen ye haue knawne God … how ar ye turnit agane to the febile and nedy elementis