Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Fit; able.
  • To use; employ.
  • To deny; disclaim.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb transitive To refuse; deny; disclaim.
  • verb transitive To use; employ.
  • verb transitive To go over; recite; repeat.
  • verb reflexive To exert oneself.
  • noun Northern England, Scotland Use; profit; foredeal; advantage.
  • noun Northern England, Scotland Use; end; purpose.
  • adjective Northern England, Scotland Useful; good at need; fit; able.
  • adjective Northern England, Scotland Quick and effective; deft; skilful.
  • adjective Northern England, Scotland In good order; trim; tidy; dainty; clean.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neita, later variant of Old Norse níta ("to deny, refuse"), from Proto-Germanic *niitjanan (“to say 'no', deny, refuse”), from Proto-Germanic *ne (“no, not”). Cognate with Icelandic neita ("to deny"), Danish nægte ("to deny"), Old English nǣtan ("to annoy, afflict, press upon, trample upon, crush, subdue, injure, destroy"). More at nyte, nay.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neyta ("to use, employ"), from Proto-Germanic *nautijanan (“to use”), from Proto-Indo-European *newd- (“to acquire, make use of”). Cognate with Icelandic neyta ("to make use of, employ"). Related also to Icelandic nýta ("to use, make use of"), Old English nēotan ("to use, make use of, have the use of, have the benefit of, enjoy, employ"). More at note.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English naite, from Old Norse neyte, neyti ("use"), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“use”).

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English nait, nayt, from Old Norse neytr ("in good order, fit, fit for use"), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“useful, helpful”). Compare Old English nyttol ("useful").

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