Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cheyn(e, Chyne, n. Also: chein; chine, schyne. [ME. cheyn, chyne: cf. Chene and Chenȝe.] A chain. Also attrib. with tether.(a) 1375 Barb. xvii. 623.
With ane stark cheyne [to] hald thame thar 1456 Hay I. 44/25.
The quhilk fand all thir maneris of irnis, cheynes, fettris, and boys, to prisoun men withall c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 26.
Thai … fetterit me but lok or cheyne 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 36.
Thou cheyn of luf, … Quhou hard strenys thi bandis euery wight 1535 Stewart 799.
The langar ay that he laborit thairin, He fand thair wit the langar ay in cheyne a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xvi. 77.
God … hes maid thé instrument and mein With maryage to cowpill in ane chein Thir tua realmes Ib. xxxiv. 43.
Thair huddis, thair cheynes, thair garnysyngis 1589 Waus Corr. II. 438.
Ane goldin chein of fyne puir gold 1590 Ib. 462.
I haife ressauit ane of the vessis [sic] that hais your cheyn 1649 St. A. Presb. 148.
Ionet Miller … declaris, that she came and looked in at Elspet Seithes door, [and] did sie hir drawing a cheyne tether(b) 1649 Edinb. Test. LXIV. 253.
Ane gold schyne weyand ane vnce fyftene drape 1664 Maxwell Mem. 342.
The iron chyne of the hors milne