Middle English Dictionary Entry
Caim n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Caim n. Also cain, chain, kam, kaym. |
| Etymology | ML (cp. Caymiticus fratricidal), ult. Heb. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The son of Adam, Cain; wei of ~, sinfulness; (b) Caimes castel, a friary; Caim(es kin, Caimes kind (kinrede, sed), descendants of Cain; also, wicked people, savages, monsters [cp.Beowulf 107]; (c) ?as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)33/353 : Ich hit am þet makede, caym [Roy: kaym] þe acursede acwalde his broðer abel.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)416 : Ðan caim of eue cam.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jude 2.11 : Wo to hem that wenten the weye of Caym.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.221 : Þis Adam..gat Cayn, þat is comounliche i-cleped Caym.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.1015 : That a man ne be nat despeired of the mercy of Iesu Crist, as Caym or Iudas.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.60,71 : Adam and Eve..hadden fair issue..And Chain be name thei him calle.
- a1400 Preste ne monke (Cleo B.2)266 : Frer Carmes come of a k, The frer Austynes come of a, Frer Jacobynes of i, Of m comen the frer Menours; Thus grounded Caym thes four ordours.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.4.16 : And Caym [WB(2): Cayn] passid out fro the face of the Lord, dwellide fer fugitif in the erthe.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)34/166 : A, cursyd Caym, þou art vntrewe.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)446 : Lamech is..ðe seuende man after Adam ðat of caymes kinde cam.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)10.149 : Corsed Men þat comen of Caymes kuynde [vr. kyn].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1559 : Þis tim wex wel mare wogh, Namlik amang kayn [Göt: caym; Frf: caymys] kyn.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)1933 : Þe duk Mauryn, He was of Kaymes kynrede. His men ne couþen speke ne grede, Bot als houndes grenne and berken.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)11.221 : For þe synne of caymes sed seyde god to noe [etc.].
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)559 : Þe forest fast þan wald he seke, And als þe karl of Kaymes kyn.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)348 : Freris..spuylen þe puple many weies by ipocrisie and oþer leesingis, and bi þis spuylyng þei bilden Caymes Castelis to harme of cuntreis.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)253 : Of caymys kynd come Tubulcan.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)448 : Þey letten pore prestis to preche þe gospel to þe puple, al ȝif þey ben not of þes newe ordris þat ben closid in cayms castels.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)224/639 : Pilatus. Now curtes kasers of kamys kyn..My comforth from care may ye sone wyn.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)559 : Þat beþ here [the friars'] heyȝe helle-hous of Kaymes kynde.
c
- (1250) Bk.of Fees2.1169 : Constancia Kaym.
- (1327) Sub.R.Som.in Som.RS 3281 : Willelmus Caym.
- (1328) Sub.R.Der.in Der.ANHSJ 3080 : Walt Caym.