chine

¹ American  

[chahyn] / tʃaɪn /

noun

British Dialect.

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

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chine ² American  

[chahyn] / tʃaɪn /

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.

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verb (used with object)

chined, chining

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

chine ³ American  

[chahyn] / tʃaɪn /

noun

1. chime.

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chiné ⁴ American  

[shee-ney] / ʃiˈneɪ /

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.

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chine ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

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

chine ² British  

/ tʃaɪn /

noun

1. another word for chime 2

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chine ³ British  

/ tʃaɪn /

noun

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

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chiné ⁴ British  

/ ˈʃiːneɪ /

adjective

1. textiles having a mottled pattern

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Etymology

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 chiné⁴

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

Example Sentences

Verdon Winkler employs multiple techniques, notably drypoint and chine collé, to produce gauzier, almost painterly images in what might be called a rainbow of grays.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2021

Near the barges on the south shore of Emerald Bay is a hard chine skiff, a fishing boat measuring 15 feet in length.

From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2018

The evening, too, in this impeccable collection was a sliver of simplicity that comes from understanding fabrics and their subtle decoration, like a print of orchid on crêpe de chine.

From New York Times • Jul. 2, 2012

Drop-waisted apron dresses in ivory and tan crepe de chine were layered over linen blouses, while slouchy trousers and shorts were paired with boxy button-down shirts.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2011

Her first resort was a black crepe de chine dress which, according to the dressing table mirror, bestowed by means of clever cutting a certain severity of form.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• carve
• divide
• rip
• slash
• slice