Forms: 5 cheveyne, 5–7 chevyn, cheven, (6 chevion), 6–7 chevine, (7 chevern), (8 given), 9 chivin, 6– chevin. [a. F. chevin, also chevanne, in OF. also chevesne, Swiss Rom. chevenne (Godef.): of uncertain derivation: see Littré.] A fish, the CHUB.
c. 1450. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 613. Strengula, quidam piscis, a cheveyne.
1496. Bk. St. Albans, Fishing, 28. The cheuyn is a stately fysshe; and his heed is a deynty morsell.
c. 1532. Dewes, Introd. Fr., in Palsgr. (1852), 913. Cheuyns, chieuennes.
1583. Plat, Divers New Exper. (1594), 4. For the cheven you must make your baites as big as cherrie stones.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., xxvi. (1622), 120. Which some a Cheuin call.
1653. Walton, Angler, 59. Have you no other way to catch a chevin or chub?
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv. (1746), 274. Chevins and Millers thumbs, are a kind of jolt-headed Gudgeons.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Standing Water, They put into these Pools store of Chevins.
1848. Thoreau, Maine W., i. (1864), 53. A shoal of white chivin.
1887. Burnand, Incompl. Angler, 44. The Pike … Is worth a dozen cheven.
