NECK-VERSE, "he could his _neck-verse_" (M27,_d_), a verse on which one's neck depends, in allusion to hanging: originally "a Latin verse printed in black letter (usually the beginning of the 51st Psalm), formally set before one claiming benefit of clergy, ... by reading which he might save his neck" (_O.E.D._). See other volumes of this series. NEEDINGS (M34,_d_), "relieving nature," doing that is necessary. NEGLIGENCE, (_a_) "if it please your _negligence_" (M21,_a_), _i.e._ if an "interval" will be acceptable: this usage = a pleasing relaxation of attention, or absence of restraint, was common enough. (_b_) "Committed to my _negligence_" (N83,_a_), in sarcasm. NEMBLE, "now am I _nemble_" (IP337,_d_), nimble: cf. trimble = tremble. NEMESIS (R., _passim_), the embodiment of retributive justice; this passage serves the _O.E.D._, being nearly half a century earlier than the first given by Dr. Murray. NESH, "tender and _nesh_" (IP337,_b_), succulent, juicy. NEST, see Feather. NEW GUISE, see Guise. NEW JET, see Jet. NEW YEAR, "in _the worship of the new year_" (IP334,_c_), _i.e._ at the next jollification. NIL, see Suffer. NINE STOCKS, "sit in _nine stocks_" (R220,_d_). Mr. Magnus thinks the meaning of this somewhat obscure sentence to be that the culprit shall be sentenced to the stocks nine times running; note the exigency of a rhyme to _mine locks_. NINNAT (R., _passim_), ne will not. NOLD, "The skitb[r]ains _nold not_" (R267,_b_)--"for she _nolde_ suffer" (N45_a_), would not be--n[e w]o[u]ld: cf. Namnot, etc. NOLI ME TANGERE, "He is a _noli-me-tangere_" (M23,_b_), generic for anybody or anything repellant, an awkward tempered person. "He was wont to say of them that they were of the tribe of Dan, and were _noli me tangere's_."--R. Naunton, _Frag. Reg._ (_c._ 1630), 18 (1870). NOLO, "_Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit_" (M37,_b_): see _Ezekiel_ xxviii. 11--"_Nolo mortem impii, sed ut_ _convertatus impius a vita sua, et vivat._" NOMINATION, "that is my _nomination_" (R199,_d_), name, designation. "Because of these two effectes ... hath it the _nomination_ of kayes."--Frith (_d._ 1533), _Workes_, p. 58. NON, see Inventus. NONAGE, "the _nonage_ of this gentleman" (N53,_d_), legal minority. "My parents deceased in mine _nonage_."--_Godly Queen Hester_, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 257,_c_. NONNY, see Hey. NOURICE, "thy tender _nourice_" (N46,_d_), nurse. "Flatterers ben the devil's _nourices_ that nourish his children with milke of losengrie."--Chaucer, _Cant._ _Tales_ (1383), Persones Tale. NYMPHS, "at her _nymphs_" (R251,_b_), _i.e._ handmaidens, waiting women. OAR, see Boat.