Obs. [dim. of F. crin hair: see -ET.]
1. A hair.
1572. Gascoigne, Flowers, Wks. (1587), 67. The heeres were not of gold But of some other metall farre more fine Wher of ech crinet seemed to behold Like glistering wyars.
2. Hawking. (pl.) The small hair-like feathers which grow about the cere of a hawk. (Also written crinites; now called crines.)
1486. Bk. St. Albans, B j b. Ther be oon an hawke long smale blake federis like heris abowte the sere & thossame be calde Crinettis of ye hawke.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. xx. (1660), 223.
1792. Osbaldiston, Brit. Sportsman, 130/1. Crinets or Crinites, with falconers, small black feathers in hawks.
3. = CRINIÈRE. (Cf. CRANET1.)
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 336. Vpon any sadle, crinet, bard, chapperon, cooperison or other indument.