sain

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

Pronounced as (IPA)

/seɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sainen

Inherited from Old English: sēnian

Cognate with Dutch: zegenen

Cognate with German: segnen

Cognate with Irish: séan

Cognate with Scottish Gaelic: seun

In summary

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”).

Synonyms

bless

heal

secure