dawn·ing \ˈdȯniŋ, ˈdän-, -nēŋ\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English dawning, dawening, alteration (influenced by Middle English evening) of dawing, from Old English dagung, from dagian to dawn + -ung -ing — more at daw 1.: daybreak, dawn < in the gray of cold dawnings — Ethel Wilson > 2.: beginning < the dawning of the Gilded Age — J.D.Hart >