Examples Word Origin
Scot. and Irish English rent paid in kind, especially a percentage of a farm crop. Show More
Origin of cain Middle English (Scots ) cane < Scots Gaelic; compare Old Irish cáin statute, law, rent
the first son of Adam and Eve, who murdered his brother Abel. Gen. 4. a murderer. Show More
raise Cain , Slang become angry or violent: He'll raise Cain when he finds out I lost his watch. to behave in a boisterous manner; cause a disturbance: The students raised Cain while the teacher was out. Show More
Related forms Cain·ism , noun Cain·it·ic [key-nit -ik] /keɪˈnɪt ɪk/ adjective James M., 1892–1977, U.S. novelist. Show More
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cain Contemporary Examples of cain In the aftermath of the allegations, Cain dropped out of the race.
When the House of Bishops made its ruling, Cain was appalled.
His scheme to re-integrate the church back into the center of this urban community has won Cain a legion of admirers.
At the final site meeting before construction began, Cain was in a no-nonsense mood.
“Gay people have very often a heightened sensitivity to things of beauty and spirituality,” Cain suggested.
Historical Examples of cain When Cain wished to slay his brother, he was at no loss for a weapon.
Cain (gen. Cain es, 107): descended from him are Grendel and his kin, 107, 1262 ff.
He gave Cain a long lifetime in which to repent of his sins.
Even thus did Cain cease to be his brother's keeper, and so slew him.
On kin of Cain was the killing avenged by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.
British Dictionary definitions for cain history (in Scotland and Ireland) payment in kind, usually farm produce paid as rent Show More
Word Origin for cain C12: from Scottish Gaelic cāin rent, perhaps ultimately from Late Latin canōn tribute (see canon ); compare Middle Irish cāin law
the first son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1–16) raise Cain to cause a commotion to react or protest heatedly Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for cain elder son of Adam and Eve, from Hebrew Qayin , literally "created one," also "smith," from Semitic stem q-y-n "to form, to fashion." To raise Cain is first recorded 1840. Surnames McCain, McCann , etc., are a contraction of Irish Mac Cathan "son of Cathan," from Celtic cathan , literally "warrior," from cath "battle."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with cain The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
