† esne Obs. exc. Hist.
(ˈɛzniː)
[OE. ęsne = Goth. asneis:—OTeut. *asnjo-z harvestman, f. *asano-z harvest.]
The OE. designation of a class of domestic slaves.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. x. 24 Ne is ðeᵹn ofer ðone laruu nec ðea vel esne ofer hlaferde his. c 975 Rushw. Gosp. John iv. 51 Esnas ᵹiurnon togæᵹnes him. 1820 Scott Ivanhoe xxxii, Theow and Esne art thou no longer. 1861 Pearson Early & Mid. Ages Eng. 201 The..esnés or day-labourers, were the lowest. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. I. v. 78 The esne or slave who works for hire. |