† assoiling, vbl. n. Obs.
(əˈsɔɪlɪŋ)
[f. assoil v. + -ing1.]
1. The action of absolving, absolution.
| c 1380 Wyclif De Eccl. iii. Sel. Wks. 1871 III. 345 Many heresies, as of assoilingis and indulgencis, and cursingis, wiþ feyned pardons. 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. V. 415 Monkes myȝte use þe offys of assoillynge [L. absolvendi]. 1642 Jer. Taylor Episc. (1647) 317 The publike assoyling of penitents. |
2. The resolving of a difficulty, solution.
| 1619 Favour Antiquitie 72 For the triall of all controversies, and assoyling all doubts. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 209 For the assoilling of which Difficulty (seeming so formidable at first sight). |
3. The refutation or answering of an objection.
| 1382 Wyclif Wisd. viii. 8 The soilingis [v.r. asoilyngis] of argumentis. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. xi. 208 For answere and assoiling to the firste argument. a 1679 T. Goodwin Wks. (1863) VII. 406 Assoiling or answer to one of the greatest difficulties or objections. |