nief

noun4

1. •
   (Ireland, Scotland) A clenched hand; fist.

   • Nestorius exploded at that and hit out. He roared and dismissed the class, hitting out with his old mottled gnarled niefs. — 1989
2. •
   (historical) A serf or bondsman born into servitude.

   • That is, because the girl was his nief, or bondwoman, the daughter of one of his villains — 1886
3. •
   (Ireland, Scotland) A handful or fistful.
4. •
   (Ireland, Scotland) The handgrip of a sword or oar.