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sain

American  
[seyn] / seɪn /

verb (used with object)

Archaic.
  1. to make the sign of the cross on, as for protection against evil influences.

  2. to bless.


sain British  
/ seɪn /

verb

  1. archaic (tr) to make the sign of the cross over so as to bless or protect from evil or sin

"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

Etymology

Origin of sain

before 900; Middle English; Old English segnian (cognate with German segnen to bless) < Late Latin signāre to sign with the cross

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“I consist of — and I think we all do — I consist of two people: Dolores and Conchita,” Rivera sain in an interview with the AP that year.

From Seattle Times Jan. 30, 2024

Whilom full many of them were in my chain Ytied; and now, what for unwieldy age And unlust, they may not to love attain: And sain that "Love is but very dotage!"

From Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse by Various

I would as soon dress a corpse when the great fiend himself—God sain us!—stood visibly before us, as when Elspat of the Tree is amongst us.

From Chronicles of the Canongate by Scott, Walter, Sir

No, page: it is an epilogue or discourse to make plain Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain.

From Love's Labour's Lost by Shakespeare, William

You've heard of him—easy-going soul, and God sain him!

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil

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