sain

[seyn]

verb (used with object) Archaic.

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

to bless.

Origin of sain

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

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

Examples from the Web for sain

Historical Examples of sain

Of the townships on the north of the Sain River one is Akhs.
The Bbur-nma in English
Babur, Emperor of Hindustan
As it nis good, I nill say—or sain, instead of it is not good—I will not say.
Chaucer for Children
Mrs. H. R. Haweis
We'll have him—the biggest turkey ever sailed out of ol' Sain' Peer.
Wide Courses
James Brendan Connolly
Farghna has seven separate townships,46 five on the south and two on the north of the Sain.
The Bbur-nma in English
Babur, Emperor of Hindustan
(b) Erskine (p. 5, translating from the Persian): The river Sain flows under the walls of the castle.
The Bbur-nma in English
Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

British Dictionary definitions for sain

sain

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sain

"to cross oneself; to mark with the sign of the cross," Old English segnian, from Latin signare "to sign" (in Church Latin "to make the sign of the Cross"); see sign (n.). A common Germanic borrowing, cf. Old Saxon segnon, Dutch zegenen, Old High German seganon, German segnen "to bless," Old Norse signa.