† aˈbearing, vbl. n. Obs.
(əˈbɛərɪŋ)
[f. abear v. + -ing1.]
The action of comporting or behaving oneself; behaviour, conduct. Nearly always in the legal phr. good abearing, which early passed into popular use. Supplanted by the hybrid synonym abearance.
| 1494 Fabyan vi. cliv. 141 That there after he shulde be of good aberynge to warde the kyng. 1534 More Vpon the Passion Wks. 1557, 1289/1 Man should..haue standen styl vpon the wynning or loosing of heauen after his abearing. 1625 Finch Law (1636) 338 Sufficient suretie and mainprise for their good abearing towards the king, and towards his people. 1708 Les Termes de la Ley 371 Good abearing (Bonus gestus) signifies, the exact carriage or behaviour of a subject to a king and his liege-people, to which men sometimes for their loose demeanour are bound. |