reremayne

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Middle English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Probably from Anglo-Norman reremein, variant of areremein, from arere (back, backwards) + main (hand).

Noun[edit]

reremayne (plural reremaynes)

  1. A blow with the back of the hand.
    • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XIX:
      Sir Launcelot lepe to hym and gaff hym backwarde with hys gauntelot a reremayne that he felle to the erthe starke dede.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Descendants[edit]

  • English: reredemain