nait
English
Etymology 1
From Middle English naiten, nayten, borrowed from Old Norse neita, later variant of níta (“to deny, refuse”). Cognate with Icelandic neita (“to deny”), Danish nægte (“to deny”), Old English nǣtan (“to annoy, afflict, press upon”). More at nyte, nay.
Verb
nait (third-person singular simple present naits, present participle naiting, simple past and past participle naited)
Etymology 2
From Middle English naiten, nayten, from Old Norse neyta (“to use, employ”), from Proto-Germanic *nautijaną (“to use”). Cognate with Icelandic neyta (“to make use of, employ”). Related to Old English nēotan (“to use; to enjoy”). More at note.
Verb
nait (third-person singular simple present naits, present participle naiting, simple past and past participle naited)
Etymology 3
From Middle English naite, from Old Norse neyte, neyti (“use”), from Proto-Germanic *nautiz (“use”).
Alternative forms
Noun
nait (plural naits)
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; profit; foredeal; advantage.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Use; end; purpose.
Etymology 4
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
nait (comparative naiter or more nait, superlative naitest or most nait)
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Useful; good at need; fit; able.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Quick and effective; deft; skilful.
- (UK dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) In good order; trim; tidy; dainty; clean.
Derived terms
- naitly
Anagrams
Finnish
Verb
nait
- second-person singular present/past indicative of naida
Anagrams
French
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
Audio: (file)
Verb
nait
- third-person singular present indicative of naitre
Anagrams
Tok Pisin
Etymology
Noun
nait