adjective
Uncommon
bain
bayn
Bain (adjective) means Archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple. Example: “The old ballad describes a knight "bain and true" to his lord.”
adjective
1
Archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple.
"The old ballad describes a knight "bain and true" to his lord."
adverb
1
Archaic: readily, or close at hand.
"He stood bain by the gate, awaiting the messenger."
How to use bain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word for willing, ready, or nearby — rarely used outside historical or dialect writing today.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bains
- Comparative
- more bain
- Superlative
- most bain
Fill the gap
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The old ballad describes a knight "_____ and true" to his lord.
Etymology
From Middle English bain/bayn, borrowed from Old Norse beinn, meaning "straight" or "favourable."
Related words
Rhymes for bain
See all rhymes for bain →Frequently asked questions
What does “bain” mean?
The word “bain” means archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for willing, ready, or nearby — rarely used outside historical or dialect writing today.
How do you pronounce “bain”?
“Bain” is pronounced bayn (/beɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “bain” in a sentence?
Here is “bain” used in a sentence: “The old ballad describes a knight "bain and true" to his lord.”
What part of speech is “bain”?
Depending on how it is used, “bain” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “bain” come from?
The word “bain” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bain/bayn, borrowed from Old Norse beinn, meaning "straight" or "favourable.".
Is “bain” a common word?
“Bain” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bain” have?
“Bain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple.
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