Definition of "nichil" [nichil]

• Nothing; in old English law, a corrupt form of the Latin nihil, used by a sheriff in making return that assets or debtors are worthless. (noun)
• In old English law, to make return, as sheriff, that a debt is worthless, either because the debtor cannot be found, or because of his inability to pay.
• To castrate.

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Note 42: Gesta Treverorum continuatio IVa, ed.G. Waitz, MGH SS 24.369: "Plurimi eciam puerorum perierunt; nam qui euntibus copiose ministraverunt, redeuntibus nichil dederunt." back"
• "Note 54: VW 1.5, p. 19: "… puerumque Willelmum epulantem et nichil fraudis prorsus metuentem subito rapiunt." back"
• "Note 146: London, BL Harley 957, fol. 21r: "Cumque infundissent in os eius modicum quid seruisie suspirauit quasi euigilans a sompno, nichil tamen loquebatur, sed iacebat quasi dormiens in lecto." back"