nesh

1 of 2

adjective

ˈnesh

1

chiefly dialectal : soft, juicy, tender

nesh grass in the spring

2

chiefly dialectal

a

: delicate, retiring

b

: gentle, kindly

c

: extremely fastidious or dainty

d

: timid

nesh

2 of 2

intransitive verb

"

-ed/-ing/-es

dialectal, England

: to act timidly

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English nesshe, nesche, from Old English hnesce; akin to Old High German nascōn to nibble, eat dainties, Gothic knasqus soft, fine, tender, Greek kneōron, kneōros spurge flax, Sanskrit kiknasa particles of ground grain, groats, Latin ciner-, cinis ashes

Intransitive verb

Middle English nesshen, neschen to make soft, become soft, from Old English hnescian, from hnesce, adjective

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