prime-signv.

Etymology: Probably < Anglo-Norman primseingner, primsener, primsenier, primsiner, primeseiner and Old French primsener, primseignier to mark (a person) with the sign of the cross before baptism (c1139 in Anglo-Norman), to make the sign of the cross over (a person) (1212 or earlier; in Anglo-Norman and Old French also frequently prinseignier ); further etymology uncertain. Compare Old Icelandic primsigna (13th cent. or earlier), Old Norwegian primsigna (a1263 or earlier), Old Swedish, Swedish primsigna , all in same sense. Both the French and Scandinavian words appear to be formed ultimately from Latin elements (compare prime adj., sign v.¹), although the Scandinavian words are now frequently regarded as loans, probably < English. An (unattested) post-classical Latin etymon *primum signare , lit. ‘to mark first’ ( < classical Latin prīmum (adverb) first, originally neuter accusative of prīmus prime adj. + signāre sign v.¹) has been suggested, and a corresponding noun phrase prima signatio, literally ‘first signing’, has been compared, but this is apparently attested only as a later editorial comment and calque on Old Icelandic primsigning action of marking a person with the sign of the cross before baptism (13th cent.).Compare also Old French preseignier to make the sign of the cross (13th cent.; French regional (Blain) se presingner , used reflexively), perhaps an alteration of primseignier after words in pre- pre- prefix, or perhaps < classical Latin praesignāre to mark at the start or in advance, in post-classical Latin also to mark with the sign of the cross (5th cent.: see presign v.). In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix).