▪ I. † nite, n.1 Obs. rare—1.
[f. the vb.]
Denial.
| c 1375 Cursor M. 23532 (Fairf.), If þou wille þou salle be tite, ne sal þer be þer-to na nite [altered from lite]. |
▪ II. nite, n.2
(naɪt)
An arbitrary respelling of night n. Also attrib. and Comb. Hence ˈnitely a. and adv.
A widespread vulgarism.
| 1931 Amer. Speech VI. 379 Write rite (for right) and nite (for night). 1934 B. J. Thompson in Catholic World Aug. 523 Nite connotes speakeasies, gin, cheapness and vulgarity. 1960 Punch 27 Apr. 584/1 Didn't you know? It's Rock Nite at the Darby and Joan. 1961 A. Berkman Singers' Gloss. Show Business 62 Nite Club, Nite Spot. 1968 Blues Unlimited Nov. 6 Both he and Myers were discovered by Johnny in Jackson ‘nite⁓spots’. 1970 Toronto Daily Star 24 Sept. 32/2 (Advt.), Nitely dancing to an excellent European trio. 1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 25 Sept. 9/1 (Advt.), Train for Court Reporting..Special nite classes. 1971 Times 25 Aug. 11/7 (Advt.), Where it's at in Yorkshire... Mood with good food, nitely til 2... And for a romping, Bavarian-style nite out, visit the Intercon Bier Keller in Wakefield. 1971 Leader (Durban) 7 May 4/3 (caption) Elaine Meyers needs no introduction to nitelifers. Ibid., Around the nitespots. 1973 Black World June 61 Sister Habiba knew how to give parties alright: three flights up—Saturday nite. 1974 Marlboro Herald-Advocate (Bennettsville, S. Carolina) 18 Apr. 7/8 (Advt.), Free parking in paved lot in rear of store. Open all day Wednesday. Open Fri. nite 'til 6:30. |
▪ III. † nite, v. Obs. north. and Sc.
Forms: 4 nite, 5 nyt, 4–6 nyte, 6 nyit. pa. tense 4 nit, nitt(e, 5 nyt. pa. pple. 4–5 nite, 5 nytit.
[a. ON. n{iacu}ta, related to neita: see nait v.2]
1. trans. To deny (a statement, etc.).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 883 Al þat i sai mai sco noght nite. c 1325 Metr. Hom. 50 Sain Jon him prophet nitte, And said, prophet nan am I. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints viii. (Philip) 66 [Ebionites] þat throw wikit heresy nyttis, Þat Criste had suthfaste flesche as man. a 1400 Burgh Laws §xxxviii. (Sc. Rec. Soc.) I. 19 Gif he nytis it and the playntyfe have na wytnes, than the tothir sall clenge hym. c 1470 Gol. & Gaw. 899 His name and his nobillay wes noght for to nyte. |
| absol. c 1450 Holland Howlat 70 Is nane bot dame Natur, I bid nocht to nyte, Till accuss of this caise. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 208 Now at this tyme, I bid nocht for to nyit, On the he lais the haill caus and the wyit. |
2. To deny, abjure (a person). Also absol.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 15997 Quen he had nite his lauerd thris, he did him-seluen knau. Ibid. 19093 His sun..Yee suak and nitt be-for pilate. Ibid. 20871 Nitand he [Peter] fell, wepand he ras. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xii. (Mathias) 401 Þane, for he Criste nyt wald nocht, In-to þare consale þai hyme brocht. |
b. To repudiate (an obligation, etc.).
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxvi. (Nicholas) 807 Þane þe cristine mane vnwise..Nyt his det al wtrely. |
3. To refuse (a request) to one.
| c 1325 Metr. Hom. 137 Yef he the silc askinges nite. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii. (Machor) 1027 Fra quham he askit forgewine, & he had nytit hym his askine. a 1400–50 Alexander 1460 He had nite him a nerand noȝt bot o new time. 1513 Douglas æneis ix. v. 164 Thy commancement..Is sa douchty I may the nyte na thing. |
b. To refuse to do a thing.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxii. (Lawrence) 319 Þane laurens cane nyt opinly Til fals godis to sacryfy. |