▪ I. twitting, vbl. n.
(ˈtwɪtɪŋ)
[f. twit v. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb twit.
1. (Light) reproach or censure; taunting.
| 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Exprobation, or reproche, a reproch, a twiting. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ii. (1625) 48 Tush, pedegree, pedegree, here is nothing with you in hand but twitting with pedegree. 1611 Cotgr., Reproche, an vpbraiding, twitting, or casting in the teeth. 1647 Hexham 1, A twiting, een verwijting. 1891 E. W. Gosse Gossip in Library xiv. 175 The only rough thing he ever did was the result of one such twitting. |
2. Tale-telling, blabbing. Now dial.
| a 1643 Cartwright Ordinary iv. iv, D' y' think I would undo me self by twitting?.. I'm faithfull, And secret, though a Barber. |
So ˈtwitting ppl. a., that twits; whence ˈtwittingly adv., in the way of twitting, tauntingly.
| 1675 tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. i. 125 Having reckoned all his Civilities to the English Nation, he twittingly upbraided them therewith. 1838 B. Corney Controversy 20 The points whereon you may have been criticised rather twittingly. |
▪ II. twitting
variant of twitten.