fending, vbl. n.
(ˈfɛndɪŋ)
[f. fend v. + -ing1.]
1. The action of the vb. fend; an instance of this; esp. in fending and proving (cf. fend v. 2).
| 1583 Rich Phylotus & Emelia (1835) 31 After greate fendyng and prouyng had in the matter. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. viii. iii. §9 Much fending, and proving there was betwixt them. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 95 ¶2 The whole discipline of fending and proving. 1771 Contemplative Man ii. 10 There's no fending against Wind and Water. 1824 T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 407 With fendings and provings of personal slanders. |
2. Sc. Provision.
| 1816 Scott Antiq. xi, ‘That hae stouth and routh, and fire and fending, and meat and claith.’ |