Middle English Dictionary Entry
ne conj.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | ne conj.(1) Also ni, nen, nin. Contractions: naffrai (= ne affrai), nafter (= ne after), nis (= ne his), ni (= ne i), nin (= ne in). |
| Etymology | OE |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
Nor, or: (a) linking verbs, verb phrases, and parts of verb phrases; (b) linking nouns, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and other small syntactic units; ~ ek, nor also; ~ ye, nor indeed; more ~ lesse, approximately; (c) linking clauses and sentences; ~ forsoth, ~..forsoth, nor indeed, and indeed..not. [In (a), (b), and (c), ne is usually accompanied by one or more negative verbs or adverbs, which are not correlative with ne.]
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1150 Chron.Tbr.B.1 (Tbr B.1)an.1066 : Hi ne micte þa brigge oferstigan, ne sige gerechen.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)219 : Ne meȝ nan iscefte fulfremedlice smeaȝan ne understonden embe god.
- a1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)102 : Þach we nusten ne niseȝen [vrr. niseien, iseȝen, iseien], ho weren ure ifere.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)8/4 : Ne þole þu neuer þe unwiht þet he wori mi wit ne wonie mi wisdom.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)62 : Þou neuedest bigunne, ne neuer neuedest ende.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)5 : Ne dute noþing, Þat fur þe brenne ne adrenche se.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1036 : Wile ic nogt stelen, Ne min dede abraham helen.
- c1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)33 : Ete ne drinke miȝte he nouȝt; On Blauncheflour was al his þouȝt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)497 : He wrouȝt neuer bot my worchepe ne wol nouȝt, i leue.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 13.28 : Þe leoun eet not of þe careyn ne hurte not þe asse.
- (1386) RParl.FM (C&D)35/66 : The moost profitable poyntes of trewe gouernaunce of the Citee..sholde nought be knowen ne contynued.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1615 : Sire I relesse thee thy thousand pound As thow right now were cropen out of the ground, Ne neuere er now ne haddest knowen me.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.232 : 'Repentestow þe euere,' quod repentance, 'ne restitucioun madest?'
- (?1418) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)95/20 : Thomas..might ne cowde nat perfourme þat he hadde behight.
- (1423-24) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.181/1288 : Þoo persones..were nought present atte seide dyner ne neyther deden nought heren þe same acountes.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)2/34 : Entre þat ere wid-uten sinne..Þat euil dos til nan, ne reproues na man of þaire mis-dede.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)2 : Forwhi no man wole ne may do and suffre eny þing.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)14995 : Swilk men..dide ne seide to noman ille.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)714 : Trewly Mankynde nowth nen can þynke on God þat hathe hym bowth.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1723 : He myȝt not challange þat heritage, Ny nomore ryȝt hadde þerto by ony lawe.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)3.1245 : Ara celi..The name abyt, and slydeth not awaye Ne lesith not the light of his brightnesse.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)271 : No mon in chyrche stonde schal, Ny lene to pyler ny to wal.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.44 : Sey who is he that shalle Make you yssu and begete you an heyr, That ye your lif ne shorte nen yt appeyr.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)147/13 : They were departed..so inordinatly that right fewe might of hem gader ne assemble.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)123 : The kynge Arthur..seide that neuer wolde he sey ne do nothynge that sholde to hym displese.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)28a/26 : Þou shalt lay about it a defensyue of bole Armonyake for to defend þat he sprede not ne frete.
b
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1116 : Þis gear wæs swa gæsne on mæstene swa þat on eallon þison lande ne eac on Wealon ne gehyrde me of nanan segcean.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)7/1 : Ðe neure ȝiete [bieteð] here aȝene sennen mid eadmodnesse ne mid soðre berewsinge.
- a1225 Lamb.Hom.Pater N.(Lamb 487)57/46 : Ne beo þu..in hordom dei ne naht.
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)353 : Heo ne onsuerede ȝe ne no.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)5/64 : Þer ne moste libbe Þe fremde ne þe sibbe.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)44 : For hem ne yede gold ne fe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1419 : For scrið ne mede ne wold he ðor Ouer on nigt drechen nummor.
- (1357) Gaytr.LFCatech.(Yk-Borth R.I.11)84/422 : The ferthe vertu..is..For to do gile ne wrang unto naman.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)406 : A more curteyse creature ne cunnyngere of hire age was nouȝt þanne in þis world.
- (?c1375-a1390) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3596 : But why ne how noot I that thow were slawe.
- (1384) Procl.Brembre in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk H)31/6 : The Mair..Comaundeth..that no man make none congregaciouns, conuenticules, ne assembles of poeple in priue nen apert.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)44/91 : No broþer meynte[yne e]yþer of hem preuelich ne apertliche in none manere.
- c1390 I warne vche (Vrn)51 : Be war, and vengeaunce tak þou non, In word ne dede, loude ne stille.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1082 : Be no bataille Ne be no Siege it myhte availe The toun to winne thurgh prouesse.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)262 : In þis gardyn..mys nee mornyng com neuer here.
- (1417) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)69/21 : Our entente is noght to move you fro no thing of your hye worship, ne to no thyng that myght be perill to your lond.
- (1419) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)79/10 : Gladder ne moor confortable tithinges might neuer haue come.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2679 : No man shal thee see Bifore the hous, ne in the way.
- c1425 Castle Love(2) (Eg 927)70 : With his lord may he noȝt mote, ne non of his lynage.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)10/263 : Fore hungyr and þurst..Þai nold not on us haue no pete, Ny for þai [read: þi] loue.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)1/10 : The whilk boke, in sentence ne substance I þink to chaunge.
- c1440 Treat.Prayer (Thrn)297 : Thayme by-houede hertly beseke and besely pray..houre ne halfe wastande.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)4b : Hit besemyth to no man bettir þinges to konne ne mo þinges to knowe.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)282 : I not wedyr to gon ne to lende, To helpe myself mydday nyn morn.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1834 : Hurre honde shulde neuer y-rotyd be, In skynne, bode, flessh, nyȝe [read: ny ȝe] bone.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)48 : In honeste clothes thow moste gon; Baselarde ny bawdryke were þow non.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)166/108 : To be purefyed haue ȝe no nede, ne þi son to be offeryd.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.41 : He brak no covenant nen condicioun That he with hir made first.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)852 : He ne xall wete by wom ne howe.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)873 : So curteys a chyld sawe þey neuur non, In halle ny yn bowres.
- a1500 Chaucer CT.Sum.(Hrl 7333)D.1783 : Ne [Heng: I say yow noght this fourtnyght or moore].
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)5172 : God made þe worlde of þe liknesse Of an egge, more ne lesse.
- c1500 ME Verse in Anglia 92p.63 : Off thy lyfe be nott to bold, for I ne spare yong nee old.
c
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)7/39 : [Nu] is þiin muþ forscutted, for deaþ hine haueþ fordutted, Ne biþ he ne mare undon, ær cume þæs heiȝe kinges dom.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)225 : He ane is to herien..ne ne mei na þing wiðstonden his wille.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)2/7 : Ȝef þes lauerd wiste..hwenne..þe þeof walde cume to his hus, he walde wakien, ne nalde he nawt þolien þe þeof forte breoken hire.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)68 : Þes houndes habbet me biset, ne mai ic henne fle.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)11 : Stille lið ðe leun, ne stireð he nout of slepe.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)16 : For him ne wende hi neuere mo Eft to sen; ne dude hi no.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2113 : Ðes dremes swep ne wot he nogt, Ne was non so wis man in al his lond, Ðe kude vn-don ðis dremes bond.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)15 : Þo pope..his stacioun ffor trauayl doþ by-leue, Ne he comeþ nouȝt at chirche.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)223 : He ne wist..were þei were bi-come, ne whiderward he schuld seche to se of hem more.
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.228 : Kepeth ay wel thise corones..Fro Paradys to yow haue I hem broght, Ne neuere mo ne shal they roten be.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 9.13 : Ȝee schul fyndyn hym er he steȝe vp in to þe heȝe for to etyn, ne forsoþe þe puple is to etyn to þe tyme þat he come.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Kings 21.5 : Þe man þat haþ defouled vs & oppressed wickedeli so wee owen to don awei, ne oon forsoþe be laft of þe lynage of hym in alle þe coostis of israel.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)SSol.8.7 : Manye watris shul not mown quenchen out charite, ne floodis shul not þrowyn it doun.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2890 : They that been wrothe witen nat wel what they doon ne what they seyn.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)3.16 : Mourne nouȝt, mede, ne make þou no sorewe.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1564 : It were veyn euery cours to telle, her straunge sewes and her sotyltees, Ne how they sat lik to her degrees.
- (1422) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.129/243 : John of Ely lateþ this office to ferme to wymmen, þat conne not, ne also is not worship to þe Cite þat wymen shuld haue such thyng in gouernance.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1642 : I hope..That in my gylt ther shal nothyng be lorn, N'y nyl nought rakle as for to greven heere.
- a1425 NPass.(Cmb Gg.5.31)17/138 : Ȝhe may þaime do aftyr ȝhoure wyll, Ne lat þaime noght for hungyr spyll.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)826 : Nomone to other wold mys-do, Ny in alle þe tyme of his regnynge Theff ne mycher forsothe þere nasse.
- (1452) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1275 : No hagards man..shulde no sell no maner of corne..ne they shulde not go in to the contre to byge corne.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)76/131 : Lord myn herte is not heyued on lofte, nyn myn eyn be not lokynge a-bowte.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)21b/3 : Suche akyng is lyssed anoon with the forsaid oyle, ne no suche akyng may not make a crampe for all þe kervyng of the senewe.
1b.
Lest; -- linking clauses and sentences; that..~, ~ hap (that, lest, lest it happen that.
Associated quotations
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)119/21 : Godd for ure god wiðdraheð him oðerhwiles..þet we ne pruden.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ecclus.44.19 : Þe testamentis of þe world ben put anentis hym, ne [WB(2): lest] ben don awei myȝte with þe flod eche flesh.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)46/10 : His prynce besoghte hym þat he walde suffre hym wende wit hym, ne perauenture any disesse felle hym.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)34 : Whos name..I ne wyl expresse, Ne hap that the vnwurthynesse Bothe of hys persone & eek hys name Myht make the werk to be put in blame.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)662 : Wurshepe my goddys, ne hap thoue euyl dye.
2a.
In correlative constructions linking verbs, verb phrases, and parts of verb phrases: (a) ~..~ (ne, neither (nouther)..~, neither..nor; ~..~..~; nouther..~..~; also, with a negative contracted form of a verb [quot.: c1300]; (b) not (nought, no)..~, not..nor, neither..nor; (c) ~..~ (~, nor..nor; never..~, never ~..~ ~, never..nor; never..ner..~.
Associated quotations
a
- a1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1127 : He sende ouer sæ, & na god þær ne dide, ne na god ðær ne læuede.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : He ne myhte nowiderwardes ne sitten ne lien ne slepen.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)16164-5 : Nan mann ne þurrfte off himm, Ne nimenn gom ne rekkenn.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.Creed (Trin-C B.14.52)21 : Þo ðe time cam swo þat hire ne oc ne ne smeart, ne hire maiðhod ne was awemned.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)22/21 : Þe mone & te steorren, þe walkeð bi þe lufte, ne stutteð ne ne studegið.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)33 : Floriz..net ne dronk riȝt noȝt.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2814 : He for ðise tokenes two Ne liste ðe ne troweð to.
- (1384) Procl.Brembre in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk H)32/14-15 : No man..ne destourbe, lette, ne greue..no maner straunge vitailler bryngynge fissh..to the Citee to selle.
- c1390 Castle Love(1) (Vrn)20-22 : We ne beþ alle of one þeode, Ne iboren in one londe, Ne one speche vnderstonde.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2873 : They ne requeren ne preyen me nat of pees.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.304 : Ianicula, I neither may ne kan Lenger the plesance of myn herte hyde.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)484 : Þou cowþez neuer God nauþer plese ne pray.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)466-7 : He ne had nouther strenthe ne myght, Nouther to ga ne yhit to stand, Ne to crepe with fote.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)94 : For neither he denyed ne affermed that he was goddes sone.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)55/20 : To þe ydil þral men schal ȝyue breed & þe ȝerde..þat he ne folye ne wax..wilde.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)200 : Þat mayde for wreþþe and hete Nolde neydyr drynke ne ete.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)79/26 : Hough mayst þou be born vp with that thing þat may nothir susteyne the ne maynteine the?
b
- c1175 Body & S.(1) (Bod 343)3 : Hit nes no idiht, ne þeo deopnes imeten.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2084 : Ic ne migte me nogt weren, Ne ðat mete fro hem beren.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Lev.1.17 : He shal breke þe wynges of hit & not kytte ne wiþ yryn dyuyde hit.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Sh.(Manly-Rickert)B.1590 : This wyf was nat afered ne affrayed But boldely she seyde..I deffye the.
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)18/7 : The whiche rownde bord, for it shal nat werpe ne krooke, the egge..shal be bownde wt a plate of yren.
- (1418) Grocer Lond.in Bk.Lond.E.201/192 : The Forseid Fraternite wold nouȝt bye with hym ne selle.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)161/37 : The Religious men..withdrawe hem aȝen, þat þei ne be not hurt ne harmed.
- (1425) RParl.4.289b : It is not determyned ne specified in the said Graunte.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4870 : He..nylle not a-venge hurre ny ȝeue hem hard grace.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)52/21 : Ponthus fell aboue, and Landry myght not ryse ne helpe hym selfe.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)64 : The hye worthynes of my loue..may be felt from experyens aboue But not spoke ne tolde as yt ys veryly.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)369 : Pore wiȝtes..maie not amenden her hous ne amenden hem-seluen.
c
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1104 : Þæ næfre ne ge swican ne ne ateorodon.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)5/15 : Ne ðese wereȝede heaued-senne ic næure ne hatede ne ne scunede.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)3/11-12 : Fairer ne miste non beo born, Ne no rein vpon birine, Ne sunne vpon bischine.
- (1387) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)93/4-5 : Non be so hardy to speke, ne mouen, ne publish..oni thyng þat might soune in euel..of oure lige lord þe kyng.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)108 : Þyse ilk renkez..Schul never sitte in my sale..Ne suppe on sope of my seue.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)11.185 : So sholde no man begge, Ne spille speche ne tyme, ne myspende neiþer Meeble ne vnmeeble.
- (1418) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)96/10 : Which lettre, obligacion, & sele were neuer made ne selyd by þe same knyght.
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)4 : Strenkþe þee þanne not þe lesse for to praie, ne to wake, ne to faste.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)4363 : I neuer were of hy degree, Ne had mochil gode.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3475 : He wolde neuere þe hungry Neyþyr clothe nor fede, Ner drynke gyf to þe þrysty, Nyn pore men helpe at nede.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)509 : He wolde never desire ne labor..to reioyce the crowne of Ynglonde.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)35/14 : Thei take vpon theim suche honour that thei ne may neuir gette ne kepe at thende.
2b.
In correlative constructions linking nouns, adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and other small syntactic units: (a) ~..~, neither (nouther)..~, neither..nor; ~..~..~; neither (nouther) ~..~..~; neither..neither..~..~..~; etc.; also, with a negative contracted form of a verb; (b) non (no)..~, no..~ no (non), non..~ non, etc., no..nor, no..nor any; not..~, nought..~, not..nor, neither..nor; no (nought)..~..~, etc.; also, with a negative contracted form of a verb; (c) ~..~, nor..nor; ~..~ no, nor..nor any; never..~, never..nor; non..~ no..~ no, etc.; (d) the more ~ the lesse, ~ the more ~ the lesse, nouther more ~ lesse, ~ (nouther) lesse ~ more, for more ~ lesse, neither more nor less; nothing at all; on no account; neither more ~ minne [see minne adj. 1. (d)]; (e) ~ lesse ~ more, ~ more ~ lesse, ~) mo ~ lesse, neither more ~ lesse, more ~ lesse but, nouther more ~ lesse (but, exactly, precisely; no) more ~ minne, neither more ~ minne, nouther minne ~ mo [see minne adj. 1. (c)].
Associated quotations
a
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1110 : Naþer ne leoht ne trændel ne nan þing mid ealle of him wæs gesæwen.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)128 : Naffdenn þeȝȝ þurrh þeȝȝre streon Ne sune child ne dohhterr.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)10259 : Ne bi-læfde he her neouðer suster ne broðe[r].
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)9/12 : Ne sweriȝeð, naiðer ne be heuene ne be ierðe, ne bie nan oðer ðing.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)131 : Ne wiche ne walkirie vit hire uiche craft Ne mit binimen þen det.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1005 : Hi nabbeþ noþer griþ ne sibbe.
- c1300 SLeg.Silv.(1) (LdMisc 108)54 : Helie with clene linnene cloth ore louerdes flechs and is blod, And noþer in pal ne in seolke.
- a1350(1265) BLewes (Hrl 2253)33 : Shulde he neuer more come to is yn, ne wiþ sheld, ne wiþ spere, ne wiþ oþer gyn.
- c1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)12 : Ne iren ne stel schal derie þe.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2385 : Noiþer burde ne barn bi-laft at þe quarrer.
- (c1375) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3520 : Ther nas kyng ne prynce in al that lond That he nas glad if he that grace fond.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 6.12 : Þei boowidyn not aside ne to þe riȝt ne to þe left.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.603 : Ther nas baillif ne hierde ne oother hyne That he ne knew his sleighte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2451 : I lay the same stounde Ne fully quik ne fully ded.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7361 : Ic herd noght o þat iesse tel; Ne his suns ne him i knau.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)5368 : Ac hij ne miȝtten hem hirt, verrayment, Ne wiþ swerd ne wiþ dent.
- (1422) Doc.Brewer in Bk.Lond.E.142/64 : John Carpenter behight hem..þat þei shold nomore harme haue, neyþer of prisonement of her bodies, ne of losse of xx li.
- (1422) Plea & Mem.in Bk.Lond.E.124/104 : Item John pette, pedigo, and white of Graueshende defectiue, for they peyet neither to lone, neither to taillage, ne to lotte ne scotte, ne to no wacche that schulde be profite or honour to the Cite.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)235/27 : Holy desier..is neuere sclaundrid, neiþir in hymsilf þat haþ it ne in his neiȝbore.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)28 : Ȝe wil not put on me no vyleny..neythir in speche ne þowt.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6576 : So þey [waves] arysen on ouer anoþer, Þat þeym nauaillede mast ne roþer.
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)31 : May neþer wordis ne touchingis, ne handlyngis, ne kissyngis, ne bodili presence maken a ful seeth to her loue.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)4211 : A marchaunt..wold hym cheuyse Of x ml. pounde, ne longer ne more Than dayes thre.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)10 : Thei ete no thing but swech as growith frely on the erde, neithir flesch ne fisch.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)100/15 : Torre was nat lyke hym nother in shappe ne in countenaunce.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)283/8 : Nother he nother his heires ne none in her name shold not haue power to chalenge ne to axe right..in the forsaid londes.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)62/15 : It xulde nat be tedyous to lernyd nyn to lewd nyn to no man of reson.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)102 : Nourne none couthe, Noþer by title ne token ne by tale noþer.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)112 : Þer nas contesse ne quene..Þat myȝte be her pere.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)8594 : Ne wurðe nan cniht swa wod, ne kempe swa wilde, þat he æuere speke worde furðer þene his speres ord.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)107 : Ne luuede heo nane lihte plohen ne nane sotte songes.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)159 : Nis no tonge an erþe, ne non eyen list, þat mai telle þe ioie þat was maket of þe tonist.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)3 : Nis hit nouht of karlemeyne ne of þe Duzeper.
- c1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)268 : He nis no fol ne no coward.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.11.19 : Þe lord ȝeue to ȝow flesch, & ete nouȝt oo day ne two or fyue or ten ne twenty forsoþe, bote vnto þe mounþe of dayȝes.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)53/89 : Þer schal non wardeins make non newe statutz newe ordinance with-oute assent of alle þe bretherhede.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.35 : For to telle yow al hir beautee, It lyth nat in my tonge, nyn my konnyng.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)5144 : Þai er na knightes ne knightes þere.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)9.111 : Was no pride on his apparail ne no pouert noþer.
- (1419) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)100/3 : No coupere..ne none oþer man shold wiþin þis Citee rase ne gumme.
- ?c1425(c1380) Chaucer Form.A.(Benson-Robinson)24 : No trompes for the werres folk ne knewe, Ne toures heye and walles rounde or square.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)47/14 : Entyse not þi neȝbour to wekednes, Ny say no word to hym ni sklanderyng.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)1542-46 : I thoght neuer to hafe nane Lord ne no lemmane..Kyng ne no conquerour, Ne no lorde of honour.
- (1442) Visit.Alnwick230 : Ye refreyne your seculere seruauntes that honestely and not sturdyly ne rebukyngly thai hafe thaym in thair langage to the susters.
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)6a : Þey ben noȝt stedfast ne bold ne hardy to fyȝte.
- a1450 Castle Love(1) (BodAdd B.107)1636 : Then helpeþ no pledyng þer, Ne forsakyng ny answer.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)40 : Nas þer no leche vpon lyue þis lordes couþ helpe, Ne no grace growyng to gayne her grym sores.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1865 : He no knowlage, ne Acoyntaunse of my cors has.
- (1456) Lin.DDoc.89/21 : If he kepe hem not yerely ne in dew fourme than I woll that..the said place be solde.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.10.6b : Þerfore þei are nauȝt for to desire gretli, ne for to resceyue liȝtli.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)155/10 : The teris of wommen and wysshis of men getith hem nat the helpe of God ne the fulfilling of thaire willes.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)20a/25 : Make A tente not to gret ne to long.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)400 : I haue no good ne no gold.
c
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1111 : On þison geare ne bær se kyng Henri his coronan to Cristes mæssan, ne to Eastron, ne to Pentecosten.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1137 : Ne hi ne forbaren biscopes land ne abbotes ne preostes.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3516 : Ne gisce ðu nog ðin nestes ðing, Hus ne agte ne wif, in ðin giscing.
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)327 : Ne shal y rest nyȝt ne day, Nyȝt ne day ne no stounde, Tyl y haue my lemmon founde.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)48 : Never in talle ne in tuch he trespas more.
- (1418) Let.War France in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)73/21 : In pesibler degre..was neuer erthly Cite ne toun.
- (1423) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)110/66-7 : Non be chose Rectour ne Surveiours of Phisike ne Maistres of Cirurgye bot þei be born with-inne þe Roiaume of England.
- a1425 Siege Troy(1) (LinI 150)22/278 : Þe qwene sende hire owne child In-to a contray wast and wilde..ffor he no scholde seo non armure bryȝt, Ny no batail, ny no fyȝt.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)1/11 : Þai schuld neuer be schamyd ne chent, Ne lost here lyfe, ne lond, ne rent.
- (1444) RParl.5.114a : Ther is no rule sette, observed ne kept here, on ye makyng of theire Wynes, ne on the fillyng, boillyng, ne paryng therof.
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)27 : It is speedful to him þat he suffre not his affeccioun fully be bounde to no creature..syngulerly ne priuely ne passyngly.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)5 : Som..hold no store Of wisdom, ne of holynes, ne of Chiualry.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.71.50a : Þou schuldist nouȝt lufen hit, ne likinge han in þe holdyng and in þe kepinge of it, ne sorew, ne heuinesse felen in þe lesinge or in þe wiþdrawynge of it.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)32/14 : Though she do iuste punicion, yette is she neuir the more vnmercyable ne the more vniuste in hir mercyfull indulgence.
d
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1550 : Ha nowðer, ne ete, lesse ne mare, tweolf dahes fulle.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)159/27 : He..haueð..forloren þe swete feader of heouene & seinte Marie, his deorewurðe moder, oþer hali chirche, hwen he of hire naueð ne leasse ne mare.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)611 : He schewede heom his honde, and so he dude his fet, Yet heo hit nyleuede þe more ne þe lesse.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)6237 : He..made swiche a stronge muray Þat neuere in-tyl domesday Þere ne shal shippe out passe, Ne þe more [alt. to: Neyþermore] ne þe lasse.
- a1425(a1400) Ihesu þat hast (Wht)93 : Lat me neuer, for more ne lasse, Loue good to mykil þat sone sal passe.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)11/31 : Hit schal be ponyschid here ore hennus euere trespasse; Men haue not þis in mynd, nowþer more ne lasse.
e
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)1138 : King clarel kam in fourme of pees, Wiþ tweie felawes, mo ne lees.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)118/22 : Yefþe of þe holi gost..byeþ zeuen, ne mo ne les.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1951 : For as it semeth that a belle Lik to the wordes that men telle Answerth, riht so ne mor ne lesse, To yow, my fader, I confesse.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)9.7 : Was neuere wiȝt..þat me wisse couþe Where þis lede lengide, lesse ne more.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)16.440 : For his vesage As brenneng Fyr it was To hem there semeng, neþer more ne las.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)935 : To Iherusaleme than men shal pas, Two leukis noþer more ne las.
- a1475 Sidrak & B.in Centaurus 12 (Lnsd 793)224/6124 : Lat fille here with wexe a canne..And þe wex shal be of shapnesse As was þe pott, noþer more ne lesse.
- a1500 ?Ros Belle Dame (Cmb Ff.1.6)305 : For my desyr is noþer mor ne lesse, But my seruysse to do, for your plesaunce.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)8395 : A man is i-made more ne lesse, But after Goddis owne liknesse.
2c.
In correlative constructions linking clauses and sentences: ~..~, ~..nor, neither..nor; ~..~..~; ~..~ ek ~; ~..but, nor..but; ~..~..but, neither..nor..but; ~..on..oc, not..only..but.
Associated quotations
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.656 : Ða andswerode seo kyning and þus cwæð, 'Saxulf, la leof, ne þet an þæt ðu geornest oc ealle þa þing þæt ic wat þet ðu geornest on ure Drihtnes halfe, swa ic lufe and tyðe.'
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)41 : Ne scule ȝe neure god don unforgolden, Ne ec ne scule ȝe nefre ufel don þet ȝe hit ne sculen mid uuele bitter abuggen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.16.18 : Ne he þat geþerde more had more, ne he þat greyþid lasse found lasse, bot eche after þat þat he miȝte ete geþerden.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.8.23 : I schal not han lordschipe of ȝow, ne my sone schal han lordschipe in ȝow, but þe lord schal han lordschipe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.23.25 : Balac seide to balaam, Ne corse þou to hym ne blesse þou.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2939-41 : Ne how Arcite lay among al this, Ne what richesse aboute his body is Ne how that Emelye as was the gyse Putte in the fyr of funeral seruyse..I wol nat tellen.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.578 : I wot nevere what I am, Ne whider I schal, ne whenne I cam.
- (1423) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)114/188 : Ne he shal entermete of eny sekenes after his trewe estimacion vnknowyng to hym in eny maner, nor in medicyns doyng or makyng he shal nat vse eny bigilyng, eny wyle, sophisticacion, or vntrowthe.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)20b/17-19 : Ne in no maner for swellyng of towechyng of synew ne ley þou noon emplaystre of herbys..ne for Akyng ne touche not the lyme with hote water.
3.
(a) Introducing a statement or question; (b) introducing an elliptical construction; (c) in contractions: naffrai, nor fear; nafter, nor after; nis, nor his [see also of prep.].
Associated quotations
a
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.883 : Ne I nevere saugh a more bountevous Of hire estat, n'a gladder.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)89b/b : Ne we schal in no maner fleische sucche maner woundes.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)6/33 : Ne lete not forþi liȝtly of þi preier whan þou preiest.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)46/7 : Ne seest thou nat þe prowde pompe..and the shamefull maners of suche as call themself ministers of God?
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.640 : 'Now bi cryst..I haue no kynne þere.' 'Ne I,' quod an apewarde, 'bi auȝte þat I knowe.'
- a1450(a1396) Hilton CPerf.(Paris angl.41)25 : The first transfoormynge [of the soul] is not sufficient for to rule and gouerne þe affeccioun of mannys herte, ne þe secunde neiþer.
- c1450(1369) Chaucer BD (Benson-Robinson)1045 : 'I not how ye myghte have do bet.' 'Bet? ne no wyght so wel,' quod he.
c
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5680 : Tu beo Forrþrisst & ec forrhunngredd, Nohht affterr mete, naffterr drinnch, Acc affterr rihhtwisnesse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.1589 : Nouther fallas nor fals decepcioun May be to God, but it be parceyued; For he nys prophetis may nat be deceyued.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)9906 : Wolde þey make no lenger delay, ffor þey nadde neyþer drede naffray.