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.

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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

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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

“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

L'pus jone dit a sain p�re, "Main p�re, baill� m'cheu qu� do�o me 'r v'nir ed vous bien," et lue p�re leu partit sain bien.

From A Handbook of the English Language by Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)

Be it lad, or be it lass, Sign wi' cross, and sain wi' mass.

From Guy Mannering by Scott, Walter, Sir

God sain thy soul,    Never was a braver Dane; Thou didst free thy fatherland    From a foreign tyrant’s chain.

From Niels Ebbesen and Germand Gladenswayne two ballads by Borrow, George Henry

Et ainsy ledit Norman Leslie s’en est venu audit lieu de Fierboys, tout sain et sauf, emportant avecques luy ledit singe, qui est beste estrange et fol de son corps. 

From A Monk of Fife by Lang, Andrew