▪ I. nither, v. Obs. exc. north. dial. and Sc.
(ˈnɪðə(r))
Forms: α. 1 niðerian, nyðerian, (h)niðrian, 2 nytheren (2–3 niþeren, 3 niþþrenn), 7– Sc. and north. nither; 6 Sc. nydder, 8 nidder. β. 3 neoðerien, 5, 7 Sc. and north. nether, 7 Sc. nedder.
[OE. niðerian, etc. (also ᵹeniðerian) = OFris. (for)nedria, MDu. ned(e)ren, nideren, MLG. ned(d)eren, OHG. nideren, (gi)nidiran, etc. (MHG. nideren, -ern, G. niederen, -ern), ON. niðra (Norw. nedra, Sw. -nedra, Da. -nedre), f. niðer, niþer, nether adv.2]
trans. To bring or thrust down, to bring low, abase, humble, oppress, straiten, etc. (Also, in OE., to condemn.)
| α c 825 Vesp. Psalter xciii. 21 [Hie] ᵹeheftað in sawle ðes rehtwisan, & blod unsceðende niðeriað. c 900 Judith 113 Gæst ellor hwearf under neowelne næs & ðær ᵹenyðerad wæs. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xiv. 11 Eᵹhuelc seðe hine ahebbað ᵹehniðrad bið [c 1000 bið ᵹenyþerud, c 1160 byð ᵹenyþered]. a 1122 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1100 Godes cyrcean he nyðerade. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 117 Swa he bið eft iniþered on þan neoþemest pinan. c 1200 Ormin 8032 Þe laþe gast Aȝȝ niþþreþþ Godess genge. c 1205 Lay. 25235 Iniðered wurðe þe ilke mon þe þer to nule helpen. 1513 Douglas æneis viii. viii. 41 On ȝonder syde ar the Rutulianis rude, Nyddris our boundis. 1605 Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 276 Thay find not onlie the Kingis gett to be nithered but also the aforesaid choip to be ane gryt..preiudice to the gett. 17.. Ramsay Genty Tibby iii, We're obliged to nither Our spacious sauls' immense desires. 1768 Ross Helenore i. 46 Sair are we nidder'd, that is what ye ken. 1813 Picken in Harp of Renfrewsh. (1819) Pref. 71 Winter nithers a' below. 1876 W. Yorks. Gloss. s.v., I am nithered with cold. |
| β c 1205 Lay. 5152 Heo commen in to þen lond and neoðerien þa leoden. c 1450 Holland Howlat 57 My neb is netherit as a nok, I am bot ane Owle. Ibid. 105, I am netherit ane Owll thus be Natur. 1603 Prophecies (Bann. Cl.) 28 Noroway hath neddered them and to neede brought. 1691 Ray N.C. Words 52 Netherd, starved with Cold. |
Hence ˈnithering vbl. n.
| c 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. iv. xiii. [xvii] (1890) 302 He hi fram yrmþum ecre nyþerunge..ᵹenerede. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke x. 19 Ic salde iuh mæht henisæs vel hniðrunges [Rushw. niðrunge] on-ufa nedrum. a 1100 in Napier O.E. Glosses i. 1864 Detrimenta, niþerunga. 1375 Barbour Bruce xix. 155 That on na wyss suld I Giff consaill till hys nethring. 1599 Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 187 They had committit purpresture in niddering of the kingis commoun gett, and sawing of cornis theirvpon. |
▪ II. nither
obs. form of neither.