▪ I. itching, vbl. n.
(ˈɪtʃɪŋ)
[f. itch v.1 + -ing1.]
1. A feeling of uneasiness or irritation in the skin, which leads to scratching: see itch v.1 1.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 238 Þeo hwule þet ȝichinge ilest, hit þuncheð god for to gniden. 1382 Wyclif Deut. xxviii. 27 Smyit thee the Lord with..scab forsothe and itchynge [1388 ȝicchyng, ichynge, iȝcching]. 14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wülcker 708/21 Hic pruritus, a ȝekynge. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 538/2 Ȝykynge, or ȝykthe, pruritus. 1662–3 Pepys Diary 10 Feb., In the morning, most of my disease, that is, itching and pimples, were gone. 1797 M. Baillie Morb. Anat. (1807) 205 They have commonly an itching at the nose. 1845 Budd Dis. Liver 159 She became affected with excessive itching of the skin, which prevented sleep. |
| attrib. 1608 R. Armin Nest Ninn. (1880) 48 The World..scratching her braine with her itching pin,..answeres, What then? 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Alum, We call it, stone Allum, or itching pouder. |
2. fig. An uneasy desire or hankering: = itch n. 2.
| 1340 Ayenb. 16 Þet uerste heaued of þe beste of helle ys prede..þe uifte icinge, in cle[r]gie avarice oþer couaytise. 1676 tr. Guillatiere's Voy. Athens 33 A rich Turk in that City..had an itching after the young Mans Estate. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 32 All fools have still an itching to deride. 1884 St. James's Gaz. 22 Aug. 3/1 An irrepressible itching for a little more military glory. |
▪ II. itching, ppl. a.
(ˈɪtʃɪŋ)
[f. itch v.1 + -ing2.]
That itches.
1. That has or is characterized by a feeling of irritation in the skin; itchy.
| c 1000 [see itch v.1 1]. 1665 Hooke Microgr. xxvi. 146 The itching tickling pain quickly grew languid. 1746 Berkeley 2nd. Let. Tar-water §15 A very useful wash for weak, dry, or itching eyes. 1898 P. Manson Trop. Dis. xxxiii. 523 With a papulo-vesicular itching eruption resembling scabies. |
2. fig. That has an irritating desire or uneasy craving.
Often qualifying ns. denoting bodily organs in metaphorical phrases, as itching ears, a craving to hear something new, persons who crave to hear novelties (hence itching-eared); an itching palm, a hankering after gain, an avaricious disposition; † an itching elbow, a passion for gambling (cf. quot. 1726 in itch n. 2).
| a 1225 [see itch v.1 2]. 1581 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 49 There is nothing of so sacred a maiestie, but that an itching tongue may rubbe it selfe vpon it. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) 2 Tim. iv. 3 According to their owne desires they wil heape to them selues maisters, hauing itching eares. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. iv. iii. 10 Cassius, you your selfe Are much condemn'd to haue an itching Palme. 1607 Hieron Wks. I. 196 A few blotted leaues; such perhaps, as in this itching⁓eared generation..few will take notice of. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 198, I had an itching desire to see Jerusalem. 1693 in Dryden's Juvenal xiv. (1697) 342 If the Father, says Juvenal, love the Box and Dice, the Boy will be given to an itching Elbow. 1847 A. Bennie Disc. xxii. 393 This is no idle crowd come to gaze or to fill an itching ear. 1871 Dixon Tower IV. vii. 63 Fees were always welcome to his itching palm. 1876 World No. 108. 11 The causes célèbres, which have supplied such piquant reading to an itching public. |
† 3. That causes itching. Obs.
| 1665 Hooke Microgr. xxvi. 145 Of Cowage, and the itching operation of some bodies. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 336 The plant is well known on account of its sharp itching hairs. 1879 Britten & Holland Plant-n., Itching Berries. Fruit of Rosa canina. Lanc. |
Hence itchingly adv.
| 1657 J. Bentham Two Treat. 19 Itchingly desiring Novelties. |