Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1727, from French aubaine (12c.), which is of unknown origin, perhaps from Medieval Latin Albanus, but the sense is obscure. Klein suggests Frankish *alibanus, literally "belonging to another ban." A right of French kings, whereby they claimed the property of every non-naturalized stranger who died in their realm. Abolished 1819.
Usage examples of "aubain".
Madame Aubain had married a comely youth without any money, who died in the beginning of 1809, leaving her with two young children and a number of debts.
A narrow hall separated the kitchen from the parlour, where Madame Aubain sat all day in a straw armchair near the window.
At various times, Madame Aubain received a visit from the Marquis de Gremanville, one of her uncles, who was ruined and lived at Falaise on the remainder of his estates.
Madame Aubain, overwhelmed by recollections, would hang her head, while the children were afraid to open their mouths.
He advanced towards the two women, and Madame Aubain prepared to flee for her life.
Madame Aubain and the children, huddled at the end of the field, were trying to jump over the ditch.
Madame Aubain finally slid into the ditch, after shoving first Virginia and then Paul into it, and though she stumbled several times she managed, by dint of courage, to climb the other side of it.
Madame Aubain gathered information, consulted Bourais, and made preparations as if they were going on an extended trip.
Madame Aubain said that she would attend to it, and then gave orders to have the horses saddled.
Madame Aubain resigned herself to the separation from her son because it was unavoidable.
Then Madame Aubain had a fainting spell, and that evening all her friends, including the two Lormeaus, Madame Lechaptois, the ladies Rochefeuille, Messieurs de Houppeville and Bourais, called on her and tendered their sympathy.
Boupart himself was standing in the vestibule and Madame Aubain was tying the strings of her bonnet.
Madame Aubain lay at the foot of the couch, clasping it with her arms and uttering groans of agony.
When Madame Aubain was able to visit the cemetery she felt very much relieved and consoled.
Felicite and Madame Aubain also took out the skirts, the handkerchiefs, and the stockings and spread them on the beds, before putting them away again.