gnaff (naf)

[Origin obscure. Cf. gnoff.] Any small or stunted object. gnagt, v. t. [Also, improp., knag; ME. gnaggen, a secondary (Scand.) form of gnawen, gnaw: see gnaw. Cf. nag1, the same word in a de flected use.] To gnaw; bite; cut. Sweche shul ben bounden up be the beltys til flys hem blowe, And gnaggyd up by the gomys tyl the devyl doth hem Coventry Mysteries , p. 384. grone. in a snare or noose; snare; choke. Abijd that the i go and falle bacward, and ben tobrosed, and gnared and taken. Wyclif , Isa. xxviii. 13(0xf.). Thes double mannis lawes, the pop is and the emperours, letten [prevent] Goddis lawe to growe and gnare the chirche, as tares gnaren corn, and letten [prevent] it to thryve. Wyclif , Select Works (ed. Arnold), L. 96. I gnarre in a halter or corde, I stoppe ones breathe or snarl one. Palsgrave. gnarityt, n. [In Minsheu, gnaritie ; rit a ( t- ) s , knowledge, gnar us , knowing, skilful, expert, also rarely narus and gnaruris, gnoscere , usually noscere = Gr. γιγνώσκειν , know, = E. know : see know1 .] Knowledge; experience; skilfulne . Minsheu , 1625.