sain
[ seyn ]
/ seɪn /
verb (used with object) Archaic.
to make the sign of the cross on, as for protection against evil influences.
to bless.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of sain
before 900; Middle English; Old English segnian (cognate with German segnen to bless) <Late Latin signāre to sign with the cross
Words nearby sain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for sain
British Dictionary definitions for sain
sain
/ (seɪn) /
verb
(tr) archaic to make the sign of the cross over so as to bless or protect from evil or sin
Word Origin for sain
Old English segnian, from Latin signare to sign (with the cross)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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