1602 (first attested in "Hamlet" iii.2), noun use of adj.
sheene "beautiful, bright," from O.E.
scene, from P.Gmc.
*skauniz (cf. O.H.G.
skoni, Ger.
schön, O.Fris.
skene, M.Du.
scone, Du.
schoon, Goth.
skaunja "beautiful"), from PIE base
*skeue- "to pay attention, perceive" (see
caveat).