† ayne, a. Obs.; but see eigne.
[a. OF. ainé, earlier aisné, ainsné, f. ains before + né born. As in some other words (e.g. assign n.2), the final e became mute in Eng.]
First-born, eldest, eigne.
| 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 164/4 He that entred fyrst is called ayne and grete and he that cometh after shalbe called lasse. c 1500 Partenay 1695 Ayne and eldeste. |