well nyght
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Middle English
[edit]Adverb
[edit]- well-nigh: almost, nearly
- c. 1360s (date written), Geffray Chaucer [i.e., Geoffrey Chaucer], “The Romaunt of the Rose”, in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London: […] Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], published 1542, →OCLC, folio clxv, verso, column 1:
- Sir ſayde Strayned Abſtinaunce / We for to drye our penaunce / With hertis pytous deuoute / Are cõmen, as pylgrimes gon aboute / Well nyght on fote alway we go / Ful doughty ben our heeles two […]
- Sir, said Strained Abstinence, / We, to dry our penance / With hearts piteous [and] devout / Are coming, as pilgrims gone about; / Well nigh on foot always we go, / Full doughty are our heels two […]