chine

¹

[ chahyn ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. a ravine formed in rock by the action of running water.

chine

²

[ chahyn ]

noun

1. the backbone or spine, especially of an animal.
2. the whole or a piece of the backbone of an animal with adjoining parts, cut for cooking.
3. a ridge or crest, as of land.
4. Nautical.
   1. an angular intersection of the sides and bottom of a vessel.
   2. a longitudinal member running behind this.

verb (used with object)

, chined, chin·ing.

1. (in butchering) to sever the backbone of.

chine

³

[ chahyn ]

noun

1. chime ².

chiné

⁴

[ shee-ney ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a fabric having a variegated pattern produced by warp threads that have been dyed, printed, or painted before weaving.

chine

¹

/ tʃaɪn /

noun

1. the backbone
2. the backbone of an animal with adjoining meat, cut for cooking
3. a ridge or crest of land
4. (in some boats) a corner-like intersection where the bottom meets the side

verb

1. tr to cut (meat) along or across the backbone

chiné

²

/ ˈʃiːneɪ /

adjective

1. textiles having a mottled pattern

chine

³

/ tʃaɪn /

noun

1. dialect.
   a deep fissure in the wall of a cliff

chine

⁴

/ tʃaɪn /

noun

1. See chime
   another word for chime 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of chine¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English chine, chinne, chin, Old English cīne, cȳne “crevice, fissure”; cognate with Middle Dutch kēne; compare Old English cīnan “to gape, crack open”

Origin of chine²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English chine, schine, Anglo-French achine, from Old French eschine, from Germanic; shin ¹

Origin of chine³

1850–55; < French, past participle of chiner, verbal derivative of Chine China

Word History and Origins

Origin of chine¹

C14: from Old French eschine, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German scina needle, shinbone; see shin ¹

Origin of chine²

C19: from French chiner to make in the Chinese fashion, from Chine China

Origin of chine³

Old English cīnan to crack

Example Sentences

This night Mr. Gauden sent me a great chine of beef and half a dozen of tongues.

From Project Gutenberg

This day I have a chine of beef sent home, which I bespoke to send, and did send it as a present to my uncle Wight.

From Project Gutenberg

A couple of fowls, a rice-pudding, and a small chine, composed our dinner.

From Project Gutenberg

Over it she wore a magnificent cloak of crpe de Chine and silver lace.

From Project Gutenberg

She soon attired herself in the blue crêpe de chine over which she and Nance had labored so industriously the winter before.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bone
• vertebrae