Standard Lemma guide

poleyn

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ˈpɒlɪn/
  • UK: /ˈpɒleɪn/
  • US: /ˈpoʊˌleɪn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The part of medieval armour that protected the knee.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Rare form of poulaine (“(shoe with a) pointed toe”).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, rare

Examples

  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:poleyn.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English polein(e) (“knee armor”), from Anglo-Norman polein (“knee armor”). Possibly related to poulaine (“pointed toe on a shoe”).