▪ I. † ˈrouning, vbl. n. Obs.
Also 1 runung, 3 runing, roning; 4–6 rounyng(e, 5 rounn-, rovn-); 4–6 rownyng(e, 5 rowyn-), 5–6 rowning(e, 6 rowening). See also rounding vbl. n.2
[f. OE. r{uacu}nian, ME. rounen: see round v.2]
Whispering; private conversation or consultation, etc.
| c 1000 ælfric Hom. (ed. Assmann) vi. 161 Hi..on synderlicum runungum þæt riht eall ræddon. c 1205 Lay. 14070 He wolde wið þan kinge holden runinge. c 1275 ― 3249 Þe Scottene king and þe duk..mid hire stille rouning nemen heom to reade. 13.. K. Alis. 7604 (Laud MS.), After þis queynt rounyng Alisaunder spedde in þis doyng. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame iii. 1960 And ouer alle the houses Angles Ys ful of rovnynges. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. i. 64 Blessid be þo eres þat receyueþ of goddys rounynge, & takiþ non hede of þe rounyng of þis worlde. c 1475 in Babees Bk. (1868) 4 Withe-oute lowde lauhtere or Iangelynge, Rovnynge, Iapynge, or other Insolence. 1533 More Apol. 240 Castyng abrode a suspicyouse bablynge, of gatheryng, and assemblynge, and rownynge, and talkynge. |
▪ II. † ˈrouning, ppl. a. Obs.
Also 1 runiende, 4 rownande, rownende.
[Cf. prec.]
Whispering, murmuring.
| c 1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 441 Musitantes, þa runiendan. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 112 Swangeande swete þe water con swepe, Wyth a rownande rourde raykande aryȝt. 1382 Wyclif Ecclus. xxi. 31 The rownende grucchere shal defoule his soule. |
Hence † ˈrouningly adv., in a whisper. Obs.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 328 Sum confessioun is made to man, and þat may be on many maneres; outher opynly & generaly..or priuely & rownyngly. 1406 Hoccleve La Male Regle 172 Cloos kepte I me; no man durste I depraue But rownyngly; I spak no thyng on highte. |