Bain

From Middle English bain, bayne, bayn, beyn ("direct, prompt"), from Old Norse beinn ("straight, right, favourable, advantageous, convenient, friendly, fair, keen"), from Proto-Germanic *bainaz ("straight"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhei- ("to hit, beat"). Cognate with Scots bein, bien ("in good condition, pleasant, well-to-do, cosy, well-stocked, pleasant, keen"), Icelandic beinn ("straight, direct, hospitable"), Norwegian bein ("straight, direct, easy to deal with"). See also bein.

Alternative forms

• bane

Full definition of bain

Adjective

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) Ready; willing.
2. (Now chiefly dialectal) Direct; near; short; gain.That is the bainest way.
3. (Now chiefly dialectal) Limber; pliant; flexible.

Adverb

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) Readily; willingly.
2. (Now chiefly dialectal) Nearby; at hand.

From Middle English bayne, baine, from Old French bain ("bath"), from Latin balneum ("bath, bath-house").

Alternative forms

• bane obsolete
• bayne 15th-17th centuries

Noun

1. (obsolete) A bath.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VIII:So uppon a day the quene and La Beale Isode made a bayne for Sir Tramtryste, and whan he was in his bayne, the quene and Isode, hir doughter, romed up and downe in the chambir the whyles Governayle and Hebes attendede uppon Sir Tramtryste.

Anagrams

• IBAN