▪ I. ˈpatching, vbl. n.1
[f. patch v. + -ing1.]
1. The action of the verb patch, in various senses; also, the condition of being patched, or an instance of this. Also patching-up.
| 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 452 It is evyll patchynge of that is torne. 1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 47 An olde sacke axeth much patchyng. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 98 That patching and botching with Solder that appears upon all the Cast-lead Coverings. 1791 Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest ii, A little patching up would make it comfortable enough. 1832 James Henry Masterton xxiii, The eye detected some rather anomalous patchings and darnings. 1893 British Printer 157 Underlay wherever possible, as the less patching there is on the cylinder the less chance is there of wrinkling. 1923 Bell Syst. Techn. Jrnl. II. 123 In open-wire installations it has been the practice to equip each line circuit..with a full complement of jacks suited to provide the maximum degree of flexibility in ‘patching’. Ibid. 132 With this arrangement of apparatus, any ‘ringer’..may be connected temporarily to the system by means of ‘patching’ cords. 1948 J. Atkinson Herbert & Proctor's Telephony (new ed.) I. xvii. 346 (caption) Patching jack at incoming end of order wire. Ibid. xxi. 473 The junctions are routed through break jacks on the test jack frame and a small cord shelf accommodates a number of patching-out cords to facilitate temporary changes. 1964 C. P. Gilbert Design & Use Electronic Analogue Computers vi. 361 To interconnect the amplifiers, leads with a plug at each end would be inserted into the appropriate sockets giving what is known as simple direct ‘patching’. Ibid., The patching is carried out on the plug board before it is inserted into the ‘patch’ panel. 1964 G. A. & T. M. Korn Electronic Analog & Hybrid Computers xi. 443 Iterative differential analyzers..require frequent patching of integrator and memory control circuits. |
2. The putting of patches on the face by way of adornment.
| 1656 Artif. Handsom. 78 They forbid all painting, patching, and powdering. 1765 Goldsm. Double Transform. 40 Skill'd in no other arts was she, But dressing, patching, repartee. 1885 Trans. Lanc. & Chesh. Antiq. Soc. III. 35 The custom of patching amongst ladies. |
3. The wadding for a bullet (cf. patch n.1 6 b).
| 1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 286 He..drew out his patching, found the most even part of it, [etc.]. 1887 E. Eggleston Graysons xiii. (1888) 144 Taking a bullet from his pouch, he felt in his pocket for the patching. |
4. Comb., as patching-cloth, patching-rubber, patching-work.
| c 1680 Roxb. Ball. VII. 468 The Taylor..had patching-work for a whole season. 1896 Godey's Mag. (U.S.) Apr. 374/2 A circle of patching-cloth pushed through to the bottom of the tire. 1898 Sun 23 Mar. 4/1 Always carry in your tool-bag a fairly large piece of patching rubber. |
▪ II. † ˈpatching, vbl. n.2 Obs.
[f. patch n.2 + -ing1.]
The behaviour of a ‘patch’; = patchery2.
| a 1550 Image Ipocr. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) II. 446 With peltinge and patchinge, With findinge and fatchinge. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 171 After catching and snatchyng, Pyllyng and pollyng, we fall..to patchyng. |
▪ III. † ˈpatching, ppl. a.1 Obs.
[f. patch n.2 + -ing2.]
Acting like a ‘patch’; deceiving, knavish. Hence † ˈpatchingly adv., deceitfully.
| 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 1491/2 Others..dyd..dissemblingly and patchingly vse some part of them. 1591 Greene Disc. Coosnage Wks. (Grosart) X. 33 These cony⁓catchers..geuing to diuers vile patching shiftes, an honest and godly title. 1641 J. Trappe Theol. Theol. iii. 127 Some slippery persons or patching companions. 1647 Ward Simp. Cobler (1843) 37, I am not without some contrivalls in my patching braines. |
▪ IV. patching, ppl. a.2
[f. patch v. + -ing2.]
That patches or covers with patches.
| 1855 Browning Love among Ruins iv, The patching houseleek's head of blossom winks Through the chinks. |