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Nill

//nɪl// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.
Noun
  1. 1
    Shining sparks thrown off from melted brass.
  2. 2
    Synonym of zinc oxide, particularly white forms used in medicine and cosmetics. obsolete, uncountable
  3. 3
    Scales of hot iron from the forge.
Verb
  1. 1
    To be unwilling; will not (+ infinitive). auxiliary, modal, obsolete

    "I here auow thee neuer to forſake. Ill weares he armes, that nill them vſe for Ladies ſake."

  2. 2
    To be unwilling. archaic, intransitive

    "I must indeed abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or I nill:[…]"

  3. 3
    To reject, refuse, negate. archaic, transitive

    "Certes (ſayd he) I n’ill thine offred grace, Ne to be made ſo happy doe intend[…]."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English nillen, from Old English nyllan (“to not want”), corresponding to ne + will. Cognate with Old Frisian nelle. Unrelated to Latin nolo which is constructed the same way, but the morphemes that compound both verbs are cognates.

Etymology 2

Compare Irish néal and Scottish Gaelic neul (“star, light”). Compare nebula.

Etymology 3

From Medieval Latin nil and nihil (“nothing”) to represent German nichts and nix (“nothing”), confused with Latin nix (“snow, snow-white thing”), used for white forms of zinc oxide. Doublet of nihil album.

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