Middle English Dictionary Entry
fō̆ndinge, -unge ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | fō̆ndinge, -unge ger. Also fonding, vondinge, fanding, fainding. |
| Etymology | OE ge-)fandung. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The action of trying to find out something; a trial or test; (b) ~ on the mouth, taste.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)7231 : Ofte in fanding men findes sua, Man priueest es mast manes fa.
- c1410(c1350) Gamelyn (Hrl 7334)147 : I ne dide it nouȝt, broþer, but for a fondyng, For to loken or þou were strong.
- a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38)111 : Y seyde hyt for no velanye, But for a fondynge; For y wolde wytt yowre wylle.
b
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)92/28 : Visus..sihð; Auditus..lust; Gustus, fondung on þam muðe.
2.
The action of tempting to evil, or the fact or condition of being so tempted; temptation.
Associated quotations
- c1225 Wor.Bod.Gloss.(Hat 113)22b : Costnunga: fondunge.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11804 : Ure Laferrd Crist ne wass Þurrh nan fandinge wundedd.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)51b : Þus beoð þe inre fondunges [Nero: uondunges] þe seouen heaued sunnen.
- c1250 Ure fadir þat hart (Cleo B.6)[9] : Leod us in-tol na fandinge, bot frels us fra alle iuele þinge.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)428 : Loue of þis ȝongling Makeþ me iuel fonding.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)31 : Huanne þe man..yvelþ þe uondinges of þe dyeule.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)29113 : Þat yow thar in na fanding [Glb: fandinges] fall.
- a1425 Christ.Belief (LoC 4)19/747 : Þe haly gaste .. teches al rightwysnes .., vnhiles þe feendes wrenches and helpes vs agaynes him and al his fondyngs.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)278 : Of þe deuel haue þai no drede..Ne his faindinges may þam not fere.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.30 : That neure fondyng of synne myght o spotte in hire smyte.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.51 : Takenyng of the feendes fanding.
3.
Experience.
Associated quotations
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)5216 : A good man..that ful wel kan cownseillen ȝoure kyng of al his love to haven fondyng.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)21300 : He myht lesen his wit and Synnen dedlye and al For the love of a Mayden ȝyng; hym thowhte this were a Nyse Fondyng!
4.
(a) The action of trying to do something; assaying, striving, seeking; attempt, endeavor, effort; (b) longing.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)298a/a : The serpent..crepeþ priueliche wiþ fondynges [L nisibus] of schales.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)332b/a : Weight is nouȝt elles but fondynge of a þing toward his owne place.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17756 : All þair fanding was for noght.
- a1400 A fals by-hetyng (Hrl 7322)p.270 : Prolacio Mordax, anglice, A bitynde fondi[n]g.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)23776 : Wiþ-outen ani fonding of fliȝt.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)170 : Fondynge, or a-saynge: Attemptacio.
b
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)25011 : Thanne beheld Gwynebant this lady fre..So that his herte there Fyl in swich fondyng, that he Cowde thenken on non oþer thyng.
5.
Law An attempt to prove one's innocence or the opportunity to do so.
Associated quotations
- c1120(OE) Leges Hen.I in Liebermann Gesetze 1570 : De quibuscumque implacitetur aliquis, furst et fandung habeat; et nominentur ei placita, et inde ad VII dies respondeat quod uelit.