▪ I. † polayn, poleyn Obs.
Forms: 4 poleyn, -e, 4–5 polayne, 5 polan, polayn, Sc. pu(l)lane.
[ME. poleyn, polayne, a. OF. po(u)lain. Origin unknown.]
A piece of defensive armour covering the knee.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 10027 Doublet & quysseux, wiþ poleyns ful riche. 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 576 His legez lapped in stel with luflych greuez, With polaynez piched þer-to. c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 176 Hawberke, spere, ner poleyne, ner pole. c 1470 Henry Wallace viii. 1203 His leg harnes he clappyt on so clene: Pullane greis he braissit on full fast. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 468 His Pulanis full prest of that ilk peir. |
▪ II. polayn(e
variant of poulaine, pullen Obs.