nauther, pron. and conj. Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈnɔːðə(r))
Forms: 1 nawðer, 1, 4 nawþer, 5, 9 nawther, 5 nawder; 1 nauðer (-ær), 4 nauþer, 4–5 nauthir, (5 -yr), 4–5 (9) nauther.
[OE. nawðer, nauðer (= OFris. nauder), contracted form of náhwæðer (OFris. nahwedder), f. ná na adv.1 + hwæðer whether. See also nather, nother, and nouther.]
A. pron. Neither (of two persons or things).
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xvi. §4 Hi ᵹecyðað on heora endunge..þæt hie nauðer ne bioð. Ibid. xxix. §3 Swa hwæðer swa hi dydon, ne dohte him ða nawðer. c 1375 Cursor M. 5831 (Fairf.), If þai trow nauþer of þa. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2837 Nawther company by course hade Kennyng of other. c 1460 Towneley Myst. ii. 252 Na, nawder of thise ij will I leife. |
B. conj. Neither (..nor).
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xvi. §4 Nawðer ne se wela ne se anweald..ne beoð to wenanne [etc.]. 971 Blickl. Hom. 45 Hi þonne ne mihtan nawþer ne him sylfum, ne þære heorde..næniᵹe gode beon. 13.. Cursor M. 23134 (Edinb.) Þat lufe to knaw, þat nauthir..wil for luf ne au [etc.]. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 203 Wheþer hade he no helme ne hawbergh nauþer. c 1400 Destr. Troy 4329 Nauther law ne belefe lenton hom to. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxvi. 153 To neuen this note nomore vs nedys, nawder euen nor morne. 1828 Craven Gloss. 1877 North-W. Linc. Gloss. 1883 Almondbury Gloss. |