Obs. in literary use. Also 4–7 layner, 5–7 laner, 5 lanyr. [a. F. lanière; afterwards re-adopted as lanyer, corrupted into LANYARD.] A lace, strap, thong, lash.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1646. Gigginge of sheeldes, with layneres [Camb. MS. lanyerys] lacinge.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 369. Hire hosen … i-teyed wiþ layners al aboute.
14[?]. Sir Beues, 2753 + 85 (MS. E.). Hese laynerys [printed layuerys] he took anon And fastenyd hys hawberk hym vpon.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 286/1. Lanere, ligula.
c. 1450. Merlin, 697. A-noon brake the layners that he had bounden vp his hosen of stiell.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 338/1. Layners or lachettes of theyre skynne were cutte oute of theyr back. Ibid., G. de la Tour, C j b. Yf I shold sytte lowe I myght breke my poyntes or layners.
1485. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 37. Layners for the truss perell … j.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 542. An oxe hide cut out into very smal laners, that we call Thongs.
1616. Bullokar, Layners [printed Layuers], thongs of lether.
Mod. (Essex) This whip wants a new lainer.
