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

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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(e, Twin(e, v. (ppl. adj.). Also: tuyn(e, tueyne, twind. P.t. also twane. [ME and e.m.E. twine (Layamon), twyne (14th c.).]

1. tr. To twist (flax, silk, etc.) (into thread), to twist (strands) together, to make (rope, etc.) by twisting. Also fig.pres. 1513 Doug. viii vii 100.
[To] wirk the lyne, To snoif the spyndill, and lang thredis twyne a1568 Bell. in Bann. MS 7b/273.
Sardanapall, the prince effeminat … Twynand the threidis of the purpour lynt, With fingeris soft amangis the ladeis sat a1568 Jok & Jynny 68.
All graith that ganis to hobbill schone Ane thrawcruk to twyne ane tedder 1622 Edinb. Test. LI 282b.
Ane silk quheill to tueyne silk 1662 Crim. Trials III 605.
When we tak away any cowes milk, we pull the tow, and twyn it and plaitt it in the vrong way, in the Divellis namep.t. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1830.
The carll pullit the lyne … His wyfe it span and twynit [Bann. twane] it in to threid, Off quhilk the fowlar nettis maidp.p. a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlviii 35.
Off all thir thre hewis I haif left clewis … Twynit and small 1681 New Mills Manuf. lxxxvi.
To be carded spunn twisted and twyned for sisting to the cloaths madefig. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 25.
Of my lyf the heuy lyne … The secund sistere lukit hath to twyne 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 245.
Cassandra, eik Delbora and Circes, The fatall sisters twynand our weirdis out 1638 Johnston Diary I 325.
The Almighty … wil tuyne the cord the harder to lasch thé to the bone if the first whip doe not thy turne 1638 Henderson Serm. 71.
They are aye twining and twisting so many ropes to hang themselves

b. fig. To twist, distort (the meaning of something). 1672 R. Barclay William Michel Unmasqued 17.
He twinds and wrests the Scripture, to make it answer his corrupt ends

2. a. To encircle, wrap around. b. To cause (a group of persons) to turn away.a. a1605 Montg. Sonn. viii 9.
About his temple tuyn Ȝour laurell leivis with palmis perfytly pletb. 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints I 77.
Lord, it is thy enemies' day, hour, and power … twine them about the hill, Lord, and cast the lap of thy cloak o'er old Sandy and thir poor things, and save us this one time