▪ I. † canning, vbl. n.1 Obs.
[f. can v.1 + -ing1.]
Being able, ability.
| a 1555 Bradford Wks. (Parker Soc.) II. 28 (D.) Why would I not but because I could not? I mean because my canning is taken away by sin. 1615 T. Adams White Dev. 38 Cunning served his turn when canning did no good. |
▪ II. canning, vbl. n.2
(ˈkænɪŋ)
[f. can v.3 + -ing1.]
The preserving of meat, fish, fruit, etc., by sealing up in cans or tins; tinning.
| 1872 in Sacramento Weekly Union 24 Feb. 6 (Hoppe). 1879 Echo 18 Oct. 1/5 In canning, every precaution is used to secure the native freshness and flavour of the article preserved. 1882 Standard 10 Feb. 5/3 The ‘canning’ of the vast shoals of salmon. |
| attrib. 1883 Fisheries Exhib. Catal. (ed. 4) 159 Thistle Haddie Canning and Curing Company. 1884 Harper's Mag. July 297/2 The canning house. |