† ˈdizener Obs.
Also 5–6 disener.
[a. 15th c. F. disenier (later dizeinier, dizainier), f. OF. dizeine, later dizaine group of ten, in med.L. decēna, Sp. decena, Pr. desena, whence also med.L. decēnārius, OF. decenier: see decener, and cf. douzener, dozener.]
A foreman or captain of a group of ten men; = decener 1.
| [1292 Britton i. xiii. [xii]. §1 Qe touz soint en dizeyne et pleviz par dizeyners. transl. That every one be in some tithing and pledged by their tithingmen.] 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. ii. xxx. I vij, Eueryche of hem shal haue vndre hym a dyzener of carpenters and a dyzener of helpers and also thre diseners of laborers for to make the same. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions ii. x. 211 Their capitaines ouer ten, whiche, by a terme borrowed of the Frenche, we calle Diseners. |