needy, a.
(ˈniːdɪ)
Forms: 2–4 neodi, 3–4 neody, 3–5 nedi, 4 needi, 4–5 nede, 4–6 nedy, 5 neddy, nedye, nedie, neady, Sc. neidy, 6–7 needie, 6– needy.
[f. need n. + -y1. Cf. MDu. nodich (Du. noodig), OHG. nôtag, nôteg (MHG. nôtic, noetic, G. nöthig), ON. nauðigr (Sw. and Da. nödig).]
1. Of persons, etc.: Poor, indigent, necessitous. a. Used absolutely. (Chiefly as pl.)
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 135 Delen heo þet euric neodi ðe heo biseceð sum þing þer of afo. a 1300 Cursor M. 103 Lauedi scho es o leuedis all.., To nedi neghest on to call. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. vii. 14 The neodi and the nakede, nym ȝeeme hou thei liggen. a 1450 Myrc 1591 To þe nedy ȝeue þow large. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 47 b, What time the pore and nedye are releved. 1633 Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. §138, I am sure I want no lesse then the neediest. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 307 At gold's superior charms all freedom flies; The needy sell it, and the rich man buys. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 528 Not only to accommodate the poor and the needy, but to advance the public good. 1864 Pusey Lect. Daniel (1876) 483 The sons of the needy. |
b. In attributive or predicative use.
| 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6780 Reufol he was to nedi men, of is almes large & fre. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. viii. 51 The pore That is innocent and neodi and no mon hath apeyret. 1439 E.E. Wills (1882) 130 To x of the nedyest parys⁓chirches yn the Cuntre by sidys. c 1510 More Picus Wks. 6/1 [To] releue the necessitie and misery of poore nedie people. 1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. (Arb.) 59 But fewe regard their needy neighbours lacke. 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. iii, With the old needie troops that follow'd Sylla. 1738 Pope Epil. Sat. ii. 44 Have you less pity for the needy Cheat, The poor and friendless Villain, than the Great? 1829 J. W. Croker in C. Papers 21 Aug. (1884) II. 23 Our papers are now very poorly done, by needy adventurers. 1878 Lecky Eng. in 18th C. I. ii. 246 For the education of his needy fellow-citizens. |
| transf. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 626 In some places it is admirable fruitfull, in other places very barren and needy. 1868 Lynch Rivulet cxlviii. ii, The sky is in its working dress, And needy earth befriends. |
† c. In need
of a thing.
Obs. rare.
| 1597 Howson Serm. 31 We..are..needy of all things but hunger and feare. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. & Commw. 111 They againe are needie of the waxe, honie [etc.]..which are brought thither from Prussia. |
2. Of circumstances, etc.: Characterized by poverty or need.
| 1574 R. Cox in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. IV. 17 In this nedy and beggerly tyme. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. i. 42 In his needie shop a Tortoyrs hung. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 29 Our poor and needy life. 1674 Temple Misc., To C'tess Essex (1680) 173 We bring into the world with us a poor needy uncertain life. |
b. Of search: Close, anxious.
| 1867 G. Macdonald Poems 19 That neediest search will not avail To find a refuge here. |
† 3. Under a necessity
to do something.
Obs.—1| c 1400 Love Bonavent. Mirr. ix. (B.N.C. MS.) lf. 29 As the childe Jesu were a pure man and not god, nedy to kepe the obseruance of the lawe. |
† 4. Needful, necessary.
Obs.| 1487 Act 3 Hen. VII, c. 11 §1 Fullers..that shuld lyve and obtayne their nedy sustentacion by meane of drapery. a 1535 Frere & Boye 45 (W. de W.), Therto soone I assent, For that me thynketh moost nedy. 1608 Shakes. Per. i. iv. 95 These our ships..Are stored with corn to make your needy bread. |