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Showing results for sain. Search instead for sains.

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

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

They gave to her a right good gown, Of scarlet it was, as I heard sain; She took the gift and home she went, And couched her down again.

From A Bundle of Ballads by Morley, Henry

Hame cam lord Archibold, weary wicht,   Hame til his ain countree; An' he cried, quhan his castle rase in sicht,   "Noo Christ me sain an' see!"

From The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 2 by MacDonald, George

On Hallow-Mass Eve, ere ye boune ye to rest, Ever beware that your couch be bless'd; Sign it with cross, and sain it with bead, Sing the Ave, and say the Creed.

From Waverley by Scott, Walter, Sir

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