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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Twyn(n, Twin(n, adj. (n.). Also: twyn(n)e, tuin(n, tuyn, twaine. [ME and e.m.E. twinne adj. (Orm), twynne n. (c1290), tuin (Cursor M.), twyne (c1400), twin (1540), OE twinn adj., OFris. twina, twine, ON tvinnr, tvennr.]

A. adj. 1. (Consisting of) two; double. Also fig. 1375 Barb. iv 691.
Thai … Of thir twyn maners makis fanding Of thingis to cum to haf knawing ?1438 Alex. ii 2847.
Be assailȝeing on twin partis; So sall we win on sumkin wis c1420 Wynt. i 770 (W).
A best men callis Mantigora; Off visage … like is he Vnto a man … Bot the teeth … within His heid are set in chester twynefig. c1420 Wynt. iv 1929.
Twyn-tungyd serwandys on all wys, And wykyd fals thow sall disprys 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. v.
I would men wist that the word, Gods sword, as it is said … so it is found to be twin-edged

b. Tuinfald, two fold. ?1438 Alex. ii 387.
Thocht he thame gif, he takis tuinfald

2. Composed of two, two in one. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 31/241.
Let Christ both God and man your twinrock [F. croupe iumelle] be

b. Equal. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 110 (A).
His eldast soune & lauchfull ayr … sal haf that ilk porcone of the gudis as ony of the tother childer & tvin part with thaim

c. Two or equal. 1400 Maxwell Mem. I 138.
Robert oblysis hym and hys airis … tyl gyf to the forsayd Schyr Jon the sone and hys airis ȝer by ȝer, at twyn termys, ten mark of vsual mone 1400 Maxwell Mem. I 140.
Robert hys sone ys oblyst … to pay fyfty mark … to the sayd Schyr Jon the sone and hys airis, at twyn termys nest folowand

B. noun. 1. Chiefly pl. as (twa) twynnis, twins, two children born at one birth.sing. 1546–7 Cal. Sc. P. I 4.
I marvel of ‘David the twynne’, if your lordship has sent him again a1650 Row 466.
He wes borne a twaine in Perth … and when he wes brought forth, his left syde, that lay nearest his dead brother … wes beginning to be black and bleapl. 1375 Barb. vi 186.
Thai twynnys off a byrth wer a1400 Leg. S. xxi 61.
I wil that thu thé redy make, & a gret menȝe with thé take, & thi twa twynnis als with thé c1420 Wynt. iii 1009.
Thir twa twynnys fundyn were Wndyr a bra be Tybere nere 1513 Doug. i v 78.
Ilya, nun and dochter of a kyng, Consavit of Mars twa twynnys do furth bring 1531 Bell. Boece I 61.
Becaus thay war two twinnis borne at anis, the law couth nocht decerne in thay dayis quhilk of thaim had maist richt to the crown c1554 Makeson Genesis 131.
Of guid Rebecca arborne at ane cast The tua tuynis Esaw & Jacob 1596 Dalr. II 39/27.
The sam selfe ȝeir to the king war borne tua tuinnis, man barnes 1622 Perth Kirk S. MS 16 April.
James Murray … schew that Nans Stewart is delyuer of tua twynnis to him 1622-6 Bisset II 203/29.
Scotæ … bur to him thair twa sones attaynis beand twynnis 1658 S. Ronaldshay 25.
Twynnes [baptised at Burray] to John Maile

b. The constellation Gemini. 1587 Carmichael Etym. 33.
Gemini, twa twins 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 21/50.
Heir shynes the Charlewain there the Harp gives light, And heir the Seamans starres, and there Twinnis bright

2. Like or similar persons. a1605 Montg. Sonn. viii 9.
Come, troup of tuinis, about his temple tuyn Ȝour laurell leivis

3. In twynn, see in twane (Twane adj. (n.) B 2).