subs. (old).—1. See quot.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. NIT. Wine that is brisk, and pour’d quick into a glass.
2. (old: now recognised).—The egg of a louse.—B. E. (c. 1696); A New Canting Dictionary (1725).
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes (1611). Zeiche NEETS in the eie lids. Also tikes that breed in dogs.
1698–1700. WARD, The London Spy, I. (1706), i., 11. [He] has as many Maggots in his Noddle as there are Mice in an old Barn, or NITS in a Mumpers Doublet.
3. (Scots’).—A wanton: see BARRACK-HACK and TART [JAMIESON].
NITS WILL BECOME LICE, phr. (old).—See quot.
1725. A New Canting Dictionary, s.v. NITS WILL BECOME LICE; of small matters that become important.
