neaf

plural neafs · plural neaves

1. alternativeAlternative form of nief (“fist”).

   Sweet knight, I kiss thy neaf.

   c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], line 181

   2 more examples

   Give me your neaf, Monsieur Mustardseed.

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], line 19

   From the evidence, it appeared there was some ill-feeling between the parties, who are cousins, and on the night in question they came to the house and “demanded battle” of the complainant, put their “neafs” through the panes, and behaved themselves in other warlike ways.

   1877 March 16, “North Shields Police Court”, in Shields Daily Gazette and Shipping Telegram, section “Yesterday”, subsection “A Fracas Between Cullercoats Fishermen”, page 3