† levining, vbl. n. Obs.
Forms: 2–4 levening, 4 levynynge, levennyng, 5 leyfnyng, lewenynge.
[f. levin v. + -ing1.]
Lightning. Also, the bright flashing of any light.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 533 Wynd þat blaws o loft, O quilk es thoner and leuening ledd. a 1340 Hampole Psalter lxxvi. 18 Þi leuynyngis shane til þe erth. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) xxxi. 139 With grete thunders and leuennynges and hidous tempestez. c 1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 377 In my face the levening smate. c 1400 Melayne 815 The levenynge of [þair] baners clere Lyghtenes all þat lande. 1483 Cath. Angl. 215/1 To Levyn or to smytte with y⊇ lewenynge. |
| attrib. a 1547 Surrey æneid ii. 853 Sins that the sire of Gods and king of men Strake me with thonder, and with leuening blast. |