Nait

From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neita, later variant of Old Norse níta ("to deny, refuse"), from Proto-Germanic *niitjaną ("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.

Full definition of nait

Verb

1. (transitive) To refuse; deny; disclaim.

From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neyta ("to use, employ"), from Proto-Germanic *nautijaną ("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.

Verb

1. (transitive) To use; employ.
2. (transitive) To go over; recite; repeat.
3. (reflexive) To exert oneself.

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

Alternative forms

• nate

Noun

1. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; profit; foredeal; advantage.
2. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; end; purpose.

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").

Adjective

1. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Useful; good at need; fit; able.
2. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Quick and effective; deft; skilful.
3. (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) In good order; trim; tidy; dainty; clean.

Derived terms

• naitly