neaf, neif, neve, neive, nieve, neffe, neefe

[Icel. hnefi, nef i; Dan. næve; Sw. näfve.] The fist, the hand. "To Percevelle 2 dynt he yefe In the nekk with his nefe." Syr Percyvelle, 2,087. tnēal, *neale, *nele, v. t. & i. [A contraction of anneal (q. v.).] A. Trans .: To anneal; to temper by heat. "Swords and glaiues, in furneis neale they tough." Phaer.: Virgil's Eneidos , vii. B. In trans.: To be tempered by heat. "Reduction is chiefly effected by fire, wherein, if they stand and nele , the imperfect metals vapor away." Bacon : Dr. Meverel; Touching Metals .