† beˈrain, v. Obs.
Forms: 3 birein, 4–5 be-, bi-, byrein, -reyn, 5 berayn, byrayn(e, 6 berain(e.
[f. be- 4 + rain; cf. OHG. bireganôn, mod.G. beregnen, in same sense.]
1. trans. To rain upon. (Chiefly in pa. pple.)
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 344 Cloðes unseouwed {revsc} bireined oðer unwaschen. 1388 Wyclif Ezek. xxii. 24 A lond vncleene and not bireyned. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xiv. i, Yf good londe is bidewid or bireynid it fatteþ and amendeþ. [1582 Batman Barth. De P.R. xiv. xlvi. 210 Also downes be more bedewed and berained than vallies.] |
2. a. To besprinkle as with rain; to wet, bedew.
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv. 1144 After that he long had..with his teris salt hire breest byreyned. a 1547 Surrey Pris. in Windsor 42 The tears berain my cheeks of deadly hew. 1567 Turberv. in Chalmers Eng. Poets II. 641/1 Teares..beraine my brest. |
b. To sprinkle or pour (a liquid) in drops.
| c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 952 Byrayne aboute uppon thi wortes this. |