▪ I. gaining, vbl. n.1
(ˈgeɪnɪŋ)
[f. gain v.2 + -ing1.]
1. The action of the vb. gain2.
| a 1553 Udall Royster D. ii. iii. (Arb.) 36 No man complainyng..For losse or for gainyng. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple Isl. iii. xix, His gaining is their losse, his treasure their distressing. 1652 Milton in Four C. Eng. Lett. 99 The gaineing of those four languages. 1745 Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 109 For the gaining of more certain intelligence. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 396/2 This movement is slightly in excess of the circumferential velocity of the front rollers..and the excess is called the ‘gaining’ of the carriage. |
2. concr. esp. in plur.: That which is gained; profits, emoluments.
| a 1631 Donne in Select. (1840) 279 Tell me where thy purchase lies, and show What thy advantage is above below: But if thy gainings do surmount expression, Why doth [etc.]. 1824 Mrs. Sherwood Waste Not ii. 5 Such poor gainings too as you have. I should not wonder, if you had never touched a farthing of the old lady's money. |
▪ II. gaining, vbl. n.2
(ˈgeɪnɪŋ)
[f. gain v.4]
The cutting of gains (see gain n.3) in wood. In Comb. gaining-machine, a machine for cutting gains in a beam.
| 1874 in Knight Dict. Mech. |
▪ III. ˈgaining, ppl. a.
[f. gain v.2 + -ing2.]
That gains in various senses of the verb. † Of manner, etc.: Winning. gaining-twist: in rifled fire-arms, a twist of the grooves that increases regularly toward the muzzle (Brande & Cox 1866).
| 1642 Rogers Naaman 451 They keep all they haue, and still are on the gaining hand till they attain their desire. 1731 Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 481 Though I take it to be your duty to write to him, and perhaps in such soft and gaining terms, yet I fear he is so stiff and self-willed, some⁓what more of salt would have been as effectual. c 1685 Halifax Char. Chas. II (1750) 33 A plain, gaining, well⁓bred, recommending kind of Wit. 1755 N. Magens Insurances II. 141 Whenever the Goods come to a gaining Market..and when they come to a losing Market. 1880 Antrim & Down Gloss., Gaining, winsome, loving. |