Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rein, Rain(e, n. Also: reine, reyn(e, raign(e. [ME and e.m.E. reyne, rayne (both 14th c.), reign (1560), rein, OF rainne, raigne, reigne. Cf. Renȝe n. and Ren(e n.] (A) rein. a. = Renȝe n. 1. b. fig. = Renȝe n. 2.a. 1456 Hay II 49/13.
His coursere … has bridill gevin till him, with irne bytt in the mouth and reynis in the knychtis hand sa that the knycht may refreyne the hors 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 220.
Æolus … them [sc. winds] confining, … a prince imposed To let or loose their rains 1673 Leith Customs 25.
2 dozen raignes for bridles 1674 Cunningham Diary 35.
Reins to a snifle bitt, 8 s. 6 d. 1701 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 7.
For bearing rains to the cochb. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 208/28.
Defend thame … Sen of the law thow leidis the reyne 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (S.T.S.) 76/32.
The raines being loosed to all the insolencies that disordered people can committe 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 611.
The rememberance of a guid fyne once payed for his past ryot; whiche will serve as the best reynis to affray him frome comeing of new within compas 1625 Garden Kings 6.
With ane louse raine t'unrighteousnes he ran 1611-57 Mure Psalmes cvi 14.
[The Israelites] in the desart, lowsse did lett The rains to concupiscence great 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 432.
Every person tooke loose reines to do as he would