gainshire, n. dial.
(ˈgeɪnʃə(r))
[prob. a local survival of gainchare.]
a. (See quot. 1814.) b. Sheffield Cutlery. A barb on the tang of a knife, to prevent its being pulled out of the handle. So ˈgainshire v., to barb (a tang).
| 1814 Pegge Suppl. to Grose, Gain-shire or Gain-shere, the barb of a fishing-hook, Derb. 1820 Specif. Brownill's Patent No. 4474 As a further security for the keeping on of the cap I spread or beat out the end of the tang, if a round tang, or make what is called a gainshire. 1888 Sheffield Gloss. s.v., When the tang of a knife is notched in various places, like a barbed arrow, so that when driven into the handle it will not come out, it is said to be gainshired. |