among the Romans, persons free born, who for debt were reduced to a state of slavery. By the laws of the twelve tables it was ordained, that insolvent debtors should be given up to their creditors to be bound in fetters and cords, whence they were called Nexi; and though they did not entirely lose the rights of freemen, yet they were often treated more harshly than the slaves themselves. If any one was indebted to several persons, and could not within 60 days find a cautioner, his body according to some, but according to others his effects, might be cut in pieces, and divided among his creditors. The latter opinion seems by much the most probable, as Livy mentions a law by which creditors had a right to attach the goods but not the persons of their debtors.

NEVYRECHT, a town of Upper Hungary, capital of a county of the same name, with a bishop's see situated on the river Neirra, 40 miles north-east of Pressburg. E. Long. 17. 49. N. Lat. 48. 28.