▪ I. chirruping, vbl. n.
(ˈtʃɪrəpɪŋ)
[f. chirrup v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb chirrup.
| 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. June, Thy rymes..Whose Echo..taught the byrdes..Frame to thy songe their cheerefull cheriping. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII. 351 Except in the very coldest weather, they [crickets] never cease their chirruping. 1871 Earle Philol. Eng. Tong. §660 The first attempts to speak are mere chirrupings. |
▪ II. chirruping, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
1. That chirrups.
| 1826 Scott Woodst. xxviii, Robin-redbreast['s] chirruping song was heard. 1850 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom xiii, A wholesome, whole-hearted, chirruping little woman. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede 63 The small chirruping voice..came from a little sunny-haired girl between three and four. |
2. in chirruping cup, chirruping glass, etc. = chirping cup, glass, etc. [perh. this is vbl. n.]
| 1683 Tryon Way to Health 35 This Saturnine People may sometimes drink a Cherripping Glass or two, without any danger to their Health. 1687 T. Brown Lib. Consc. in Dk. Buckingham's Wks. (1705) II. 119 He wou'd take a Cherriping Cup off in a Corner. 1694 King Animadv. Acc. Denmark Wks. 1776 I. 84 A chirruping dose of brandy. |