cain

[keyn]

noun

Scot. and Irish English. rent paid in kind, especially a percentage of a farm crop.

Origin of cain

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

Cain

[keyn]

noun

the first son of Adam and Eve, who murdered his brother Abel. Gen. 4.

a murderer.

Related formsCain·ism, nounCain·it·ic

[key-nit-ik] /keɪˈnɪt ɪk/, adjective

Cain

[keyn]

noun

James M.,1892–1977, U.S. novelist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cain

In the aftermath of the allegations, Cain dropped out of the race.
Is Herman Cain Running In 2016?|David Freedlander|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the House of Bishops made its ruling, Cain was appalled.
Meet the Gay Priest Getting Married|Nico Hines|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His scheme to re-integrate the church back into the center of this urban community has won Cain a legion of admirers.
Meet the Gay Priest Getting Married|Nico Hines|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the final site meeting before construction began, Cain was in a no-nonsense mood.
Meet the Gay Priest Getting Married|Nico Hines|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Two years later, Cain is about to make headlines again, but this time his career is hanging in the balance.
Meet the Gay Priest Getting Married|Nico Hines|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The offering of fruits made by Cain is rejected by him; the bloody sacrifice of Abel is accepted.
The Bible|John E. Remsburg
How dearly has it cost its votaries, even from the sin of Cain, the first offender in this kind!
Essays on Various Subjects|Hannah More
“Which they shall dearly pay for,” was the cool reply of Cain, as he still remained in his exposed situation.
The Pirate|Frederick Marryat
And in that place, where Damascus was founded, Cain slew Abel his brother.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.
He fancied that this trembling was the sign set on the worst reprobates, the sign which God had put on Cain.
The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, Vol. 3. (of 4)|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for cain

cain

kain

noun

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

Word Origin for cain

C12: from Scottish Gaelic cāin rent, perhaps ultimately from Late Latin canōn tribute (see canon); compare Middle Irish cāin law

Cain

noun

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

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

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."

Idioms and Phrases with cain

Cain

see raise Cain.

cain

noun

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Origin of cain

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Examples from the Web for cain

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kain

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Word Origin for cain

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