Forms: α. (4 alchan), 7 c(h)ane, kan(ne, 8 k(h)ane, 8– khan. β. 7 han(e, 7–8 hawn, 8 hann. [Arab. khān inn.] In the East: A building (unfurnished) for the accommodation of travellers; a caravanserai.
α. c. 1400. Three Kings Cologne, 22. He dischargeþ hym his hors … of his berthen and so sendeth hym into swich a hows þat is cleped þere also alchan.
[1612. Trav. Four Englishm., 77. In Cities they haue very stately Canes, but not for trauellers, but for themselues to dwell in; for every rich man calleth his house a Cane.]
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 57. Legacies for … building of Canes for the reliefe of passengers.
1682. Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 37. There is a Kanne there, which serveth for a Warehouse.
1759. Russell, in Phil. Trans., LI. 533. At Seidon, great part of the Frank kane was overthrown.
1775. R. Chandler, Trav. Asia M. (1825), I. 193. We stopped at the khan, while our men purchased provisions.
1880. A. H. Huth, Buckle, II. 161. The badly-cooked, indigestible stuff which most Eastern travellers eat at the Khans.
β. 1643. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 84. They are great Founders of Hospitalls, of Hanes to entertain Travellers.
1653. Greaves, Seraglio, 182. Divers Hawns (commonly called Canes) in which wayfaring men do lodge.
1704. J. Pitts, Acc. Mohammetans, 173. A Hawn or Inn adjoyning to the Harbour.
1717. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to Mrs. Thistlethwayte, 1 April. Their mosques are all of freestone, and the public hanns, or inns, extremely magnificent.
