▪ I. harvesting, vbl. n.
(ˈhɑːvɪstɪŋ)
[f. harvest v. + -ing1.]
a. The reaping and housing of grain, etc.; also transf., the gathering up of resources.
| 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. viii, The end of all my harvesting. 1841–4 Emerson Ess., Prudence Wks. (Bohn) I. 95 In the harvesting of fruits in the cellar. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. xiv. 78 In more remote regions..the thrifty soldier thought that there might be..good harvesting for his sword. |
b. attrib.
| 1836 U.S. Pat. 28 June, Harvesting machine. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Harvesting-machine. 1881 Times 18 May 11/4 Employment on English harvesting work. 1892 Ibid. 20 Jan. 10/5 The Hon. Walter Abbott Wood, the inventor, and founder of the manufactory, of the harvesting machines..died..on the 15th inst...aged 76. |
▪ II. ˈharvesting, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That reaps or gathers in and stores up grain, etc. harvesting ant, a kind of ant which gathers and stores up the seeds of grasses; harvesting mouse = harvest mouse.
| 1873 J. T. Moggridge Ants & Spiders i. 52 These harvesting ants will be found all round the shores of the Mediterranean. 1882 Romanes Anim. Intell. 102 The harvesting or agricultural ants of Texas. Ibid. 365 Of the harvesting mouse Gilbert White says:—One of their nests I procured this autumn. |