English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English dereinen, from Old French deraisnier (to explain, defend, to maintain in legal action by proof and reasonings), from Late Latin derationare (to discourse, contend in law).

Verb edit

darrain (third-person singular simple present darrains, present participle darraining, simple past and past participle darrained)

  1. (obsolete, transitive) To make ready to fight; to arm oneself for combat.
  2. (obsolete, transitive) To fight out; to contest; to decide by combat.
    • 2001, Scott Lynch-Giddings, A Fancyfull Historie of that Most Notable & Fameous Outlaw Robyn Hood, San Jose, Calif.: Writers Club Press, →ISBN, page 108:
      Now everything I had or sought, I've lost; / Upon a glimpse, I am disparadised. / So: go defiant to the nether world, / And darreign[sic] Lucifer's dread minions to / Worse torment than thou wouldst do thyself.

Usage notes edit

Not to be confused with darrein.

Related terms edit

Finnish edit

Alternative forms edit

Noun edit

darrain

  1. genitive plural of darra