▪ I. chaffering, vbl. n.
(ˈtʃæfərɪŋ)
The action of the vb. chaffer: † a. buying and selling, dealing, trading; b. bargaining, haggling; c. fig.
| 1382 Wyclif Prov. iii. 14 Betere is the purchasing of it than the chaffering [1388 marchaundie] of gold and siluer. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 68 Chafferynge, mercacio. c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. iii. 16 In mennis bargenyngis and cheffaringis to gidere. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. lxxv. 463 If we fall to such Chaffering with him [God]. 1597–8 Bp. Hall Sat. ii. v. 14 A thousand patrons..bring Their new⁓falne churches to the chaffering. 1794 Godwin Cal. Williams 250 After some chaffering, they agreed to accept eleven guineas. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. vi. 299 Now began a series of sharp chafferings on both sides. |
▪ II. ˈchaffering, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That chaffers.
| 1483 General Sentence in Festival (1532), Al maner of marchaundyse of chaffryng men and of men of craft. 1592 W. Wyrley Armorie 114 Chaffering townsmen. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh i. 954 Near all the birds Will sing at dawn, and yet we do not take The chaffering swallow for the holy lark. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. I. i. 117 In the market-place He stood and saw the chaffering folk go by. |