reckoning

reckoning, vbl. n.
  (ˈrɛk(ə)nɪŋ)
  Forms: see reckon v. (also 3 recning, 5 Sc. rek-, raknyne, 5–6 rekning, rakning, 6 reckning, -yng, etc.).
  [f. reckon v. + -ing¹. Cf. Du. rekening, MLG. rekeninge (whence late ON. reikningr, Sw. räkning, Da. regning), OHG. rechenunga (MHG. -unge, G. rechnung).]
  1. a. The action of the vb. reckon; enumeration, calculation, computation.

a 1300 Cursor M. 1566 Reckining cuth þai nan o right. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xii. (Mathias) 266 Of thre hundir þe teynd leyly,..cumys be raknyne to thretty. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 428/2 Reknynge, computacio. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lxxix. 6 For rekkyning of my rentis and roumes, Ȝe neid nocht for to tyre ȝour thowmes. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 498 Ber. I alwaies tooke three threes for nine. Clow. O Lord sir, it were pittie you should get your liuing by reckning sir. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. iv. 14 Without words, there is no possibility of reckoning of Numbers. 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 2 The usual mode of reckoning is to divide the total daily supply in gallons by the total population.

  b. Manner or mode of computing or numbering.

c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. (Eugenia) 943 Be þe reknyne of rome..twa hundir ȝere sex & fyfty. ? c 1540 Hye wey to Spyttel Hous 919 in Hazl. E.P.P. IV. 64 That is but lytell used in this lande,..For Englysshe men knowe not of suche rekeninges. a 1727 Newton Chronol. Amended Introd. (1728) 2 The reckoning by Olympiads was not yet in use. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ix. II. 475 On the sixteenth of October, according to the English reckoning.

  2. a. An instance of enumerating or counting, or the result of this; an enumeration, calculation, or account. Also with up.

a 1300 Cursor M. 12713 O þis reckining na mar her nu, Bot o Iohn baptist and o iesu. c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. ii. §22 Understond wel this Reknyng. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 428/2 Rekenynge, or a counte,..compotus. 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 149 Let vs thinke, that our Lord God kepeth a rekoning of all the dayes of our calamitie. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 188 There is not a full reckoning up of those attributes of his that have to do in the work. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. xvii, As for an exact Reckoning of Days, after I had once lost it, I could never recover it again. 1864 D. G. Mitchell Sev. Stor. 284, I tried to keep some reckoning of the streets through which I passed.

  b. The process or result of (one's) counting, etc. Freq. in phrases, as to be out in or of, to leave out of, to lose, one's reckoning.

1585 Queen Elizabeth in Four C. Eng. Lett. (1880) 29 If I mad not my rekening the bettar of the moneths. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. xiv. 34 According to his reckoning, there will be two Ligaments, not one only. 1699 Bentley Phal. Pref. 12 A plain argument, that the Examiner is quite out in his reckoning. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. iv, I should lose my reckoning of time. 1783 Cowper Let. 13 Oct., It is ever the way of those who rule the earth to leave out of their reckoning Him who rules the universe. 1809 Malkin Gil Blas vii. xii. ¶1 He was short in his reckoning by an arm and a leg.

  c. spec. The calculated period of pregnancy.

1638 G. Sandys Paraphr. Job xxxix, Can'st thou their Recknings keepe, the time compute. 1751 Smollett Per. Pic. lxxxi, The time of my reckoning was nearly expired. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 599 A shepherd that has attentively..marked the reckoning of every ewe.

  d. Naut. The estimate made of a ship's position by calculation from the log, the course steered, observation of the sun, etc. See also dead reckoning.

1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. iv. i. 138, [I] took our Reckoning from Lundy, in the Mouth of Severn. Ibid. 139 Currents is a means of great mistake in keeping of a Reckoning. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Log, Log-Board is a table divided into four or five columns, whereon are marked the reckonings of every day. 1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1780) s.v. Dead-reckoning, This reckoning..is always to be corrected, as often as any good observation of the sun can be obtained. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxx. 108 Having gone by reckoning over thirteen hundred miles in seven days.

fig. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 14 Sometimes he comes many Leagues short of his Reckoning, for through loss of Hands to work her the Ship is lost. 1884 Pae Eustace 91 You have got out of your reckoning.

  3. a. A computation or account of the sum owing by, or due to, one; a statement of a charge or charges; a bill, esp. at an inn or tavern. † Also without article, in phr. upon reckoning (quot. 1617).

c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 760 After soper..Whan that we hadde maad our rekenynges. c 1481 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 41 Henry Fox bad me send my rakning at Ripon, & I should be answered to my money. 1533 [see host n.2 2 b]. 1590 Wills & Inv. N.C. (Surtees 1860) 198 He owes me the rest of a reckening for c quarters of barley. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 165, I paid each night foure bolinei for my bed, and eating vpon reckoning, I spent lesse then two giulij by the day. 1650 Fuller Pisgah ii. x. 215 They liked the wine, but not the reckoning which was to be paid for it. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones vii. xi, Having now pretty well satisfied their Thirst, nothing remained but to pay the Reckoning. 1818 Scott Rob Roy iv, He called for a reckoning for the wine. 1874 T. Taylor Leic. Sq. vii. 154 Reckonings were called and paid.

transf. and fig. 1635–56 Cowley Davideis iv. 584 Our watchful Prince by bending sav'd the Wound, But Death in other coyn his reck'ning found. 1784 Cowper Task v. 278 He deems a thousand..lives, Spent in the purchase of renown for him, An easy reckoning.

  b. a Dutch reckoning: (see quots.).

a 1700 [see Dutch a. 4]. 1724 Swift Drapier's Lett. Wks. 1755 V. ii. 78 A Dutch reckoning, wherein if you dispute the unreasonableness and exorbitance of the bill, the land lord shall bring it up every time with new additions. a 1814 Forgery ii. ii. in New Brit. Theatre I. 449 Come, we'll have a Dutch reckoning to-night, for we will share the dust, or see them shopp'd [= put in prison].

  4. a. The action of rendering an account of property etc., entrusted to one's charge; an account so rendered. Chiefly in phrases, as to give reckoning or yield reckoning, to hear reckoning, hold reckoning or make reckoning, to bring or call to reckoning, reckoning; sometimes also count and reckoning. Now only in legal use.

1340 Ayenb. 18 His lhordes guodes huer-of him behoueþ straitliche yelde rekeninge and scele. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 427, I can holde louedayes and here a reues rekenynge. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxxiv. 83 Of al reuenues that to the kynge bylongen in his Countre the Shirreue muste yeue rekkenynge. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 58 The king..began to call him [Becket] to reconynges, and to burthen him with paymentes. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 264 The keiperis of the Thesaurhous..he bringis to compte and rekning. 1611 Bible 2 Kings xxii. 7 Howbeit, there was no reckoning made with them, of the money that was deliuered into their hand. 1869 Act 32 & 33 Vict. c. 116 §7 The grantee being always bound, upon payment of the price, to hold count and reckoning with the grantor for the same.

transf. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 683 As for the towne of Calice..the sayde Monsire de Vawclere promised thereof to make him a good reconyng.

  b. The action of rendering to another an account of one's self or one's conduct.

c 1450 Lonelich Merlin 1300 (Kölbing) Respyt gonnen they take..xv dayes thanne next sewenge Hire forto bringen to rekenenge. 1530–1 Act 22 Hen. VIII, c. 12 If any man..be vagrant, and can gyue no rekenynge howe he dothe lefullye get his lyuynge. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado v. iv. 9 Being..enforc'd To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 18 A servile Constraint being much more resented by a generous Soul than a deep Reckoning. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth vi, I have also a reckoning to hold with you.

  c. spec. with ref. to rendering an account of one's life or conduct to God at death or judgement.

a 1300 Sarmun xxiii. in E.E.P. (1862) 3 Hit nis no doute he sal be dede to ȝelde recning at þe dome. 1340 Ayenb. 214 God will acsi rekeninge ate daye of dome. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxiv. (Alexis) 133 We sal..gyf reknyne þat Iuge til of al dedis, gud & Il. 1434 E.E. Wills 97 As myne executoures wyl answere at the laste rekenyng. c 1500 Lancelot 1358 Wharof that god a raknyng sal craf At the, and a sore Raknyng sal hafe. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. i. 141 If the Cause be not good, the King himselfe hath a heauie Reckoning to make. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen xxxiv. 108 The reckoning and account of a true Professor and sound Christian is not to seeke, nor to make at the houre of their death. 1784 Cowper Task iii. 179 He will judge the earth, and call the fool To a sharp reckoning that has lived in vain.

  d. In phr. day of reckoning. (See also 9.)

1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xx, There will be a day of reckoning sooner or later. 1861 Buckle Civiliz. (1873) III. iii. 132 The patience of the country was well nigh exhausted, and the day of reckoning was at hand.

  † e. An account, statement of something. Obs.

a 1375 Joseph Arim. 444 Whon þat þou comest aȝeyn..þou miht haue more redi roume my rikenyng to here. 1543 [T. Cottesford] (title) The Rekening and declaracion of the faith and beleif of Huldrik Zwingly.

  5. The settlement of accounts or differences between parties.

c 1470 Golagros & Gaw. 850 Rude reknyng raise thair renkis betuene. 1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 53 Euen recknyng maketh longe friendis,..For alwaie owne is owne, at the recknyngis eend. 1776 Paine Com. Sense (1791) 62 A firm bargain and a right reckoning make long friends.

  6. a. The action of calculating or estimating chances or contingencies; (an) anticipation, or expectation.

1568 Grafton Chron. II. 689 Makyng sure reconyng to haue had theyr pray and pryse. 1588 Parke tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 144 It went not with Limahon and his foure hundred souldiers according as he did make reckoning. 1686 tr. Chardin's Coronat. Solyman 25 The General of the Slaves expected the Precedency as his due... However he missed of his reckoning. 1871 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. xviii. 113 Most likely the reckonings of the men of Kent did not go so far afield.

  † b. Thought, idea. Obs.^—1

1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1584) 231 After I..read againe your letter, I fell in the reckoning that it was of Mosen Rubin my neighbour.

  † 7. a. Mode of regarding a matter. Obs.

1390 Gower Conf. I. 356 As to the worldes rekeninge Ther schal he finde no winnynge. 1522 More De quat. Noviss. Wks. 79/2 With this reckening shal thei loke vpon death muche nerer hande. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. i. 87 By this reckning he is more shrew than she. 1649 Milton Eikon. ix. 86 By this reckning his consent and his denials come all to one pass.

  † b. to make reckoning of: to hold or account of, to take heed of. Obs. (Common c 1580–1680.)

1581 G. Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. i. (1586) 7 b, A man must not make reconing or account of the multitude of people. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage ii. xix. (1614) 217 That Iew..is accounted a Traytor, and neuer made reckoning of after. 1686 tr. Chardin's Coronat. Solyman 99 The General at that time made little reck'ning of what he said.

  † c. to be, or come to, one reckoning: to be of the same value, to be equivalent. Obs.

1599 Shakes. Hen. V, iv. vii. 18 The great, or the mighty, or the huge..are all one reckonings. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 93 To take away place, or to take away the body plac'd, comes all to a reckoning.

  † 8. Estimation, consideration, distinction. (Used with adjs., as good, little, mean, etc., and absolutely.) Obs.

1582 Stanyhurst æ neis ii. (Arb.) 46 Whilst counsel auayled, Then we were of reckning. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary i. (1625) 5 A woman of very meane reckoning. 1598 J. Manwood Lawes Forest xx. §10 (1615) 179/2 Such beasts..are..not meete for any man of reckoning to eate. 1602 Carew Cornwall 6 For Windowes, Domes, and Chimnies, Moore stone carrieth chiefest reckoning. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xlvii. 271 He found that some fifty thousand were missing, all men of little reckoning.

  9. attrib., as reckoning book, reckoning chamber, reckoning day, reckoning tablet.

1548 Elyot Rationarius codex,..a reckenyng booke. 1613 R. Cawdrey Table Alph. (ed. 3), Register, kalender, a reckoning booke. 1647 Hexham s.v., A reckoning chamber, or a chamber of accounts, een reecken-kamer. 1765 Johnson (ed. 2), Reckoning book, a book in which money received and expended is set down. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. i. lii, Ah! Spain! how sad will be thy reckoning-day. 1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. xvii. 120, I may yet find a reckoning day for him. 1930 T. S. Eliot tr. St.-J. Perse's Anabasis 67 He who has spread on the ground his reckoning tablets.

Oxford English Dictionary