foreyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

• forein, foren, forene, foreyne, feorrene, foryn

Etymology

From Old French forain, from Vulgar Latin *forānus. Forms in fer- are altered on the analogy of fer (“far”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fɔˈræi̯n/, /fɔˈrɛːn/, /ˈfɔ.rin/, /fuˈræi̯n/, /ˈfu.rin/
• Hyphenation: fo‧reyn

Adjective

foreyn

1. Nonlocal; not from or in one's town or immediate area
2. Foreign; not from or in one's country or nation
3. belonging to or associated with other people; not belonging to oneself
4. surface, seeming, illusory, unimportant; not showing its true nature
5. (rare) external, outside; not inside one's body or mind
6. (rare) opposed; rivaling or hindering a cause

Related terms

• chambre forene
• foreyner

Descendants

• English: foreign
• Scots: furrin

References

• “forein, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2 December 2018.

Noun

foreyn (plural foreyns)

1. nonlocal; one without citizenship or membership in local institution
2. foreigner or outlander; a person from another nation or land
3. (rare) an external chamberpot or restroom
   • 1303, Richard Mannyng, Handlyng Synne, l. 7436 f:

     Ful foule ys þat forreyne
     Þat ys comoun for al certeyne.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Descendants

• English: foreign

References

• “forein, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2 December 2018.