Re: [tied] Discussion of old english néotan and brúcan

On 2006-07-17 01:51, Brian M. Scott wrote:

>> Another ME relative of <ne:otan> was <net, niet> 'peasant
>> holding land from a lord, tenant' (from OE gene:at), now
>> completely obsolete.
>
> Missed that one entirely. That's <Genosse>, isn't it?

Yes, OHG gano:z. The OE meaning was 'companion, associate' as well as
'tenant, thegn'.

> And now I find obs. <nait> 'skilful, deft, effective' and
> <unnait> 'useless, unprofitable, vain', apparently from OIc
> <neytr> 'good, fit for use'; I suppose that the associated
> verb <neyta> reflects PGmc. *nautjan, as against *neutan?

I think so too. The MED glosses <nait> as 'useful, (of the will:)
resolute, (of strength:) great', ~ of 'noted for'.

Piotr