v. Obs. rare. [a. ON. kveina = OE. cwánian, Goth. qainôn: an ablaut-var. appears in MDu. and MLG. quînen (Du. kwijnen) to complain, be ill (cf. MHG. verquînen, OE. áewínan to waste away).] intr. (also refl.) and trans. To lament, bewail, bemoan. Hence Quaining vbl. sb.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 10488. Sco quainid eft on þis maner, Oft sco said, ‘allas! allas!’ Ibid., 10495. To quils sco quainid þus hir care. Ibid., 12495. Quen iesus herd þis quaining gret. Ibid., 27886. Þarof him quaines iesu crist. [A possible instance of quain sb. (cf. ON. kvein) occurs in line 11577.]
Quain, obs. variant of QUOIN sb.
