English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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

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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

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Not to be confused with darrein.

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Finnish

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Alternative forms

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Noun

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darrain

  1. genitive plural of darra