Neven

Alternative forms

• nevin, nemmin, nem Scotland
• nevyn

Origin

From Middle English nevenen, nevnen, nemmen, nempnen, nemnen, from Old English nemnan, nemnian ("to name, call, give a name to a person or thing; use such and such a name or title in speaking of a person or thing; enumerate; address, speak to; nominate; call upon the name of, address by name, invoke; mention by name, mention, relate") and Old Norse nefna ("to name, call"); both from Proto-Germanic *namnijanÄ… ("to name"). More at name.

Verb

verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To give as a name to; name; call (someone something).
2. (obsolete, transitive) To appoint; nominate.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To mention; speak of; give an account of; tell.
4. (UK dialectal, transitive) To utter; mention the name of.
• 1995, Richard Beadle, Pamela M. King, York Mystery Plays:Thou netherest of Nazareth, now nevened is thy name.
5. (UK dialectal, Scotland, intransitive) To tell or make mention of (a person or thing); specify; designate.
6. (obsolete, intransitive) To say; speak.

Derived terms

• nevening