▪ I. communing, vbl. n.
(kəˈmjuːnɪŋ)
[-ing1.]
The action of the vb. commune, in various senses: † a. Sharing, participating; b. Holding converse or communion; c. Communion, fellowship.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 25087 (Cott.) To haf wit santes communing. a 1340 Hampole Psalter vi. 1 Comunynge of sacrament of þe autere. a 1400 Credo in Rel. Ant. I. 38, I byleve in..holy chirche general, the comunyng of halewes. a 1500 Prose Legends in Anglia VIII. 130 Cownseylles and communynges. 1509 Paternoster, Ave & Creed (W. de W.) A iij, I trowe in..holy chirche unyversall, comunynge of sayntes. 1548 Gest Pr. Masse 108 Mutual receipt and comunyng of them. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. iii. ii, That Communing of Soul with Soul. 1863 Burton Bk. Hunter 334 His communings with his own heart. |
▪ II. coˈmmuning, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
That communes, or is in communion.
| 1887 Pall Mall G. 29 Oct. 2/1 The Baptist Union..consists of between 1,800 and 2,000 churches with their pastors, and a communing membership of over 200,000. |