† ˈfandingˈfondingn.
Obs.
1. The action of trying.
a. A testing or putting to the proof; a trial.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7231 Ofte in fanding men findes sua.
c1400 Gamelyn 147, I ne did it noght broþer but for a fondyng.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2493 And send him fandyngs many ma.
14.. Jhesu 20 in F. J. Furnivall Ballads from MSS I. 320 Brettyng of benes & fondyng of foles.
b. A trying to do or find out something; an attempt, experiment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > [noun]
fandingOE
fanda1325
saya1393
assayc1450
trial1570
examen1609
experimentation1674
experiment1678
examination1819
tâtonnement1847
tentative1865
adventurism1923
OE Genesis 1452 He þa ymb seofan niht sweartum hrefne of earce forlet æfter fleogan ofer heah wæter haswe culufran on fandunga.
c1340 Cursor M. (Fairf.) 23776 Wiþ-outen ani fonding of fliȝt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17756 All þair fanding was for noght.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 691 Thai..makis fanding Off thingis to cum to haf knawing.
2. Temptation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > [noun]
fandingc1000
taste1377
experimenta1382
experience1393
probationc1422
trial1526
test1594
verification1603
the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > trial, test, or testing > [noun]
fandingc1000
costningOE
assay1330
say?c1335
assayingc1375
experimenta1382
proofc1390
experience1393
tastinga1400
probationc1422
probe?a1425
approof1436
fraistingc1440
examination?1510
saying1512
approving1523
trial1526
test1594
approbationa1616
trya1616
proval1622
tempting1623
probatea1643
experimental1659
testinga1834
c1000 Ælfric Interrog. Sigewulfi (McClean) lxix, He wyle þæt hi beon þe geþungenran on þære fandunge.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 69 Þet ure leue beo ure sceld aȝein þes fondes fondunge.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvii. 32 In þe i sall be outreft fra fandynge.
1377 Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 298 Þe fyfte is..a frende in alle fondynges.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 25111 Lede þou us in na fanding.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 19 Fore one fondyng of þe fynd fulfyl ȝour forward.
1496 Dives & Pauper (de Worde) x. iii. 374/1 The fende..stange..Adam..with his wycked fondynge.
3. ? A tempting of Providence. Cf. fand v. 1d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > incautiousness > [noun] > rashness or recklessness > tempting providence
fanding1489
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 289 For-owt fayntice or yheit faynding.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online December 2013).
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n.OE