sain

Meaning

1. To make the sign of the cross on or over something or someone.
2. To make the sign of the cross.
3. To bless, to keep from evil influence.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/seɪn/

Etymology

From Middle English sainen, seinen, senen, sinen, signen, from Old English sēnian, seġnian, from Proto-Germanic *segnōną (“to mark with a cross, bless”), from Latin signō, from signum. Cognate with Dutch zegenen (“to bless”), German segnen (“to bless”), Irish séan (“sign, omen”) and Scottish Gaelic seun (“a charm”).