needdomt (neddum)

[ 2. Spontaneous ignition.-3. The phosphoric light of rotten wood.-4. A beacon. The ready page with hurried hand Awaked the needfire's slumbering brand, And ruddy blush'd the heaven. [Scotch in all uses.] Scott , L. of L. M., iii. 29. Little neede there was, and le e reason, the ship should stay. Quoted in Capt . John Smith's Works, I. 169. The Sea itself, which one would think Should have but little need of Drink, Drinks ten you sand Rivers up. Couley, Anacreontics, ii. 2. Specifically, want of the means of subsistence; destitution; poverty; indigence; distre ; privation. As well knowe ye the neethe of the londe as do I. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 505. Famine is in thy cheeks, nedful, nedfol; At the last, in this lond light am I here, Naked, & nedefull , as thou now sees. Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), L. 13321. For thou art the poor man's help, and strength for the Isa. xxv. 4 (Cover dale). needful in his nece ity. 2. Nece ary; requisite. These thing is ben nedeful to sic he feueris and a post emes. Book of Quinte E ence (ed. Furnivall), p. 24. The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds. The needful, anything nece ary or requisite; specifical- Shak ., R. and J., v. 1. 70. ly, ready money; "the wherewithal." [Colloq. or slang.] Need and oppre ion starveth in thine eyes, Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back. 3. Time of want; exigency; emergency: as, “a friend in need is a friend indeed." Thow shalt finde Fortune the faille at thi moste nede. Piers Plowman (B), xi. 28. Shak., M. for M., i. 3. 20. Merlin (E. E. T. S.), iii. 678. Deserted at his utmost need By those his former bounty fed. Dryden, Alexander's Feast, 1. 80. 4t. That which is needful; something neces IMG:content-1268.png:[blocks in formation] Who stood in silence near his throne, the friends Of Arthur, gazing on him, tall, with bright Sweet faces, who will help him at his need . Tennyson, Coming of Arthur. =Syn. 1. Nece ity, Need (see nece ity and exigency ), emergency, strait, extremity, distre . 2. Want, Indigence, etc. See poverty.