Obs. exc. Sc. Forms: 4, 6 leyn(e, (6–7 lean(e, 7 lene), 4–5 (9 Sc.) layn(e, 4–6 lane, lain(e. [a. ON. løyna to conceal, corresponding to OE. lí(e)ʓnan to deny, OS. lôgnian (Du. loochenen), OHG. loug(i)nen (MHG. löugenen, G. läugnen, leugnen), Goth. (and Teut.) laugnjan; f. OTeut. *laugnâ str. fem. represented by OHG. lougna denial, ON. laun (Sw., Da. lön) secrecy, concealment; f. Teut. root *laug- (: leug- : lug-): see LIE sb.1, v.2
Phonologically some of the forms might descend from OE. (Anglian) *léʓnan; but the examples seem to show the specially ON. development of sense.]
trans. To conceal, hide; to be silent about, disguise (a fact). Also absol. Not to (or at) lain: not to be concealed. Hence Laining vbl. sb.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1549 (Cott.). In sua lang time, es noght to lain, þe planetes all ar went again. Ibid., 2738 (Gött.). Abraham … fra þe wil i noght leyne mi priuite.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 906. I wol it nouȝt layne.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, Symon & Iudas, 162. Of our kine gyf þou wil frane, we are hebreis, nocht to layne.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 419. Gret wele Lucius, thi lorde, and layne noghte þise wordes.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 703. Thou mon be ded, es noght at laine, For my lord that thou has slayne.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 100. But þai layned it to his ffader.
c. 1420. Avow. Arth., xxxiii. Hit is atte the quene wille Qwi schuld I layne?
c. 1440. York Myst., xxv. 101. This tydyngis schall haue no laynyng.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 648. Makdufe … in nothing wald lane, How Makcobey bayth wyfe and barnis had slane.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Adelphi, III. iii. He lained nothing [L. nihil reticuit].
1638. Brathwait, Bessie Bell, iv. ’Las, maidens must faine it; I love though I laine it.
a. 1650. Earle, Westmorld., 120, in Furnivall, Percy Folio, I. 305. Duke Iohn of Austria is my Masters name, he will neuer Lene it vpon the sea.
a. 1802. Jamie Telfer, xxx. in Child, Ballads (1890), IV. 7/1. I winna layne my name for thee.
1862. Hislop, Prov. Scot., 212. Women and bairns layne what they ken na.
