ˈnethermore, a. (n.) and adv.
Also 4–5 neþer-, neder-, 5–6 nethirmare, 6 nethermair.
[f. nether a. + -more: cf. MSw. nidhirmeer, MDa. nedhermere.]
A. adj. Nether, lower, inferior. Now rare.
| 1382 Wyclif Deut. xxiv. 6 Thow shalt not taak..the nethermore and ouermore grynstoon. 1382 ― Judg. xx. 36 Whanne thei hadden seen hem self to be the nethermore, thei begunne to flee. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) xvi. 72 Liby þe neþermare begynnez at þe Spaynisch see. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 257 The nethermore [root], which also is the bigger. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 337 The upper part of the Church, and..the nethermore. 1867 Longfellow tr. Dante, Inf. iii. 41 The heavens expelled them; Nor them the nethermore abyss receives. |
† B. n. The lower parts. Obs. rare—1.
| 1382 Wyclif Ps. cxxxviii. 15 My substaunce is in the nethermoris [v.r. -more] of the erthe. |
† C. adv. Lower or further down. Obs.
| c 1480 Henryson Orph. & Eur. 260 Nethirmare he went, as ye heir sall. 1513 Douglas æneis vi. v. Heading, Tyl hellis fluids Enee socht nether mair. 1565 Golding Cæsar v. (1567) 116 Thone corner..is toward the East: and thother nethermore is towarde the South. |