Definition of "neif" [neif]

• A woman born in the state of villeinage; a female serf. (noun)

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• "When a person claimed to be the lord of a villein who had run away and remained outside the manor unto which he was regardant, he sued out a writ of neif, that is, de nativo habendo."
• "The old neif, after thus enjoining silence, made a gesture for the youth to follow, and shuffled noiselessly before him."
• ""Fly! fly! my lady!" cried the terrified neif, setting the example."