Cain

¹ American  

[keyn] / keɪn /

noun

1. (in the Bible) the first son of Adam and Eve, who murdered his brother Abel.

2. a murderer.

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idioms

1. raise Cain,

   1. become angry or violent.

      He'll raise Cain when he finds out I lost his watch.

   2. to behave in a boisterous manner; cause a disturbance.

      The students raised Cain while the teacher was out.

Cain ² American  

[keyn] / keɪn /

noun

1. James M., 1892–1977, U.S. novelist.

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cain ³ American  

[keyn] / keɪn /

Scot., kane

noun

Scot. and Irish English.

1. rent paid in kind, especially a percentage of a farm crop.

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Cain ¹ British  

/ keɪn /

noun

1. the first son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1–16)

2. 1. to cause a commotion

   2. to react or protest heatedly

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cain ² British  

/ keɪn /

noun

1. history (in Scotland and Ireland) payment in kind, usually farm produce paid as rent

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Cain More Idioms  

1. see raise Cain.

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Other Word Forms

• Cainism noun
• Cainitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cain

Middle English ( Scots ) cane, from Scots Gaelic; compare Old Irish cáin “statute, law, rent”

Example Sentences

With the roof closed at John Cain Arena because of the heat, the 28-year-old Fritz edged through in the tie break.

From Barron's

She was similarly in control of set two in front of a full house at John Cain Arena, but blinked when serving for the match at 5-4 and was broken.

From Barron's

The Polish second seed was in cruise control against the Czech player as the sun went down at John Cain Arena, sprinting to the finish 6-2, 6-3 in front of a vocal group of fans.

From Barron's

Susan Cain, author of the seminal book on introverts, “Quiet,” recommends meeting hosts identify “more reticent” team members in advance.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You start with Cain and Abel—and you wind up at ‘Succession.’”

From The Wall Street Journal