Obs. [a. OF. cheisil, chesil, var. of cheincil, chensil, chansilh, cainsil:—late L. camisīle, -is (8th c. in Du Cange), f. camisia: see CHEMISE.]

1

  1.  A fine linen (sometimes identified with BYSS or BYSSUS). Often used attrib.

2

c. 1205.  Lay., 23761. Warp he an his rugge ænne cheisil scurte [c. 1275 ane cheiselne seorte] & ænne pallene curtel.

3

c. 1275.  Passion, 509, in O. E. Misc., 51. Ioseph nom vre Louerd a-dun of þe rode And wond him on o cheysil cloþ.

4

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 279. Theo lady lyght on hire bedde … Yn a chaisel smok scheo lay.

5

c. 1300–20.  Joachim & Anne, in Leg. Cathol. (1840), 152. Of flex, of silk, of cheisel, Of porpre & of palle.

6

  2.  Applied to various things made of this fabric, as a chemise, smock, shirt, veil, etc.

7

c. 1320.  Seuyn Sag. (W.), 1814. Sche hadde on a pilche of pris, And a chaisel theron, I wis.

8