▪ I. paltering, vbl. n.
(ˈpɔːltərɪŋ)
[f. palter v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb palter: equivocation, shuffling, playing fast and loose, trifling (with serious matters).
| 1600 Holland Livy xxxviii. xiv. 991, I can no longer endure this paltering and mockerie. 1607 Shakes. Cor. iii. i. 58 The people are abus'd, set on: this paltering Becomes not Rome. 1642 Rogers Naaman 848 She cannot endure any dalliance or paltring. 1829 Southey All for Love ii. xxxii, But, mark me!..on conditions, youth! No paltering here we know! 1884 Mrs. C. Praed Zéro vii, There must be no paltering with present duty. |
† b. concr. A trifle, a worthless or paltry thing.
| 1611 Florio, Ciabattarie, triflings, paltrings [ed. 1598 paultrie] not worth an old shoe. |
▪ II. ˈpaltering, ppl. a.
Also 6 paltring, 6–7 paultring.
[f. palter v. + -ing2; but in sense 1 app. influenced by paltry a.]
† 1. Trifling, worthless, despicable, paltry. Obs.
| 1553 M. Wood tr. Gardiner's True Obed. To Rdr. A iij, An idle belied carnal Epicure, that for worldly honor and paltring pelfes sake, hath euer holden with the Hare, and run with the Hounde. 1556 Olde Antichrist 181 b, For feare of losing of a litel paltring pelfe. 1588 Greene Pandosto (1843) 2 The paultring poet Aphranius. 1602 Newton Tryal of Man's own Selfe 44 Hereunto is to be referred the paultring mawmetrie. Ibid. 116 Whether by any secret sleight,..or any such like paltering instruments. |
2. That palters: see the vb.