Neife

Full definition of neife

Noun

1. (historical) Alternative form of neif
• 1771, Commentaries on the Laws of England Chapter Of the Modern English Tenures, For the children of villeins were also in the same state of bondage with their parents; whence they were called in Latin, nativi, which gave rise to the female appellation of a villein, who was called a neife. ... Neifes indeed had also an appeal of rape, in case the lord violated them by force.