† nyas, n. (and a.) Obs.
Forms: 5 nyesse, 6 niesse, niass(e, nyasse, 6–7 nias, 7 niaise, nias, nyas.
[See eyas.]
1. A young hawk, an eyas.
| 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 17 Any Hauke of the brede of Englond called Nyesse, gossehauke, tassel,..or faucon. 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 103 Whither they bee sorehawkes mowed or Nyesse, yet are they of sundrye natures. |
b. attrib. or as adj. Also transf.
| 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Niard, Faulcon niard, a Nias Faulcon. 1617 Minsheu Ductor, A Nias Hawke. 1636 Fasciculus Florum 48, I on my Table set..Capons, Lamb, Veal, and daintiest Fowl,..Then like a Nyas-dragon on them fly. |
2. Applied allusively to persons.
| 1576 G. Pettie Pallace 82 If they..knowe him to be a Niesse, which wyl neuer away, then they make hym flee. 1581 ― Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iii. (1586) 136 Ther is no man such a Niasse, but that continuall bobbes and repulses wil make him soare away. 1589 Greene Tullies Loue Wks. (Grosart) VII. 167 If shee be so ramage let hir flye, and seeke for a Niess that may prooue more gentle. 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass i. vi, Laught at, sweet bird? is that the scruple? Come, come, Thou art a Niaise [marg. A Niaise is a young Hawke, tane crying out of the nest]. |