Obs. Forms: (see EVEN a. and CHRISTIAN). [f. EVEN- + CHRISTIAN; cf. OFris. ivinkerstena, OHG. ebanchristani (MHG. ebenkristen).] A fellow-Christian.
c. 1100[?]. Laws Edw. Conf., § 36. Fratrem suum … quod Angli dicunt his emcristen.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 65. Luue þine euecristene. Ibid., 149. Reuþe for his emcristenes wawe.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 21. Envy and ire ayene thyne even cristene.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 521. Worschip of God, and helping of thin even cristen.
1450–1530. Myrr. Our Ladye, 99. Some longe to god, somme to oure selfe and some to our euen crysten.
1544. Exhort., in Priv. Prayers (1851), 568. Brotherly love toward all our even Christen.
1552. Latimer, Serm. Lord’s Prayer, vii. 51. To hate his euen Christian or to do other manner of sinnes.
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. i. 32. The more pitty that great folke should haue countenance … to drowne or hang themselues, more then their euen Christian.
