† nift Obs.
Forms: 1 nift, 3, 5 nifte, 4–5 nyfte, 5 nypt(e, nyghte.
[OE. nift = OFris. nift, MDu. nifte, nichte (Du. nicht), MLG. nifte, nichte (hence G. nichte), OHG. nift, ON. nift, nipt:—OTeut. *niptiz = L. neptis, Skr. naptis, from the stem nept-: cf. the etym. note to neve1.]
A niece. Also forth-nift, grand-niece.
| c 825 Epinal Gloss. 734 in O.E. Texts 84 Privigna, filia sororis, nift. c 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. iii. ix. (1890) 180 [Heo] wæs nift [L. neptem] þæs hiᵹna aldres þe he sohte. 1030 Will in Thorpe Diplomat. 556 Ic an mine lauedy half marc goldes, an mine nifte ann ore wichte goldes. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1386 Of batuel ðis maiden cam; ȝhe was forð nifte of abraham. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11011 Neueus nyftes, sistres broþer, Ilka frend welcomede oþer. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 355/2 Nypte [v.rr. nifte, nyfte], neptis. Ibid., Nypt [v.r. nyfte], broderys douter, lectis. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 97 Marculus a bysshop of grece..Wyth constance hys nyfte. c 1500 Melusine 179 Prayeng you right hertyly to haue me to my ryght dere & beloued nyghte your wyf to be recommanded. |