▪ I. committing, vbl. n.
(kəˈmɪtɪŋ)
[see -ing1.]
The action of the verb commit; commission.
| 1559 in Strype Ann. Ref. I. App. viii. 21 The..committinge of administration of the goodes of the intestate. 1586 Thynne in Holinshed Chron. III. 1435 To be without the committing of a fault. a 1619 Donne Biathan. (1644) 132 Of Affirmations and Denyals, of Omissions, and Committings. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxvii. 151 The Committing of that which the Law forbiddeth. |
b. The action of referring to a committee: see commit 4.
| 1640 Ld. Digby Parl. Sp. 9 Feb. 6 The committing of this Petition may give countenance to that designe. |
▪ II. coˈmmitting, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That commits, in various senses; see the verb.
| 1681 J. Flavel Right Man's Ref. 278 The committing acts of Faith. 1755 Burn Justice of Peace, Commitment (L.), The committing magistrate. 1886 Pall Mall G. 24 Nov. 9/2 The committing magistrates..were among those who memorialized for a reprieve. |
† b. That commits an offence, adultery, etc.; lustful. (Cf. commit 6 c.) Obs. rare—1.
| a 1643 W. Cartwright The Siege i. v, He survey'd each Virgin With a most eager and committing look. 1660 Gauden Brownrig 235 They had such committing and scandalous looks. |