maskins Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈmæskɪnz)
Also meskin(s.
[f. mass n.1 + -kins, as in bodikins, pittikins (cf. -kin).]
by the maskins: by the mass; an asseverative exclamation.
| 1611 Chapman May-day iv. I 2 b, By the meskin me thought they were so indeede. 1647 Baron Cyprian Acad. i. 53 By the Maskins I would give the best cow in my yard, to find out this raskall. 1664 Cotton Scarron. iv. (1741) 85 And now this Swabber, by the Maskins, Thunders up Dido's Galligaskins. 1721 in Bailey. [For 19th c. examples (Yorks., Lancs. & Derbysh.) see Eng. Dial. Dict.] |