▪ I. blinding, vbl. n.
(ˈblaɪndɪŋ)
[f. blind v.]
1. The action of making blind.
| 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. vii. 79 So striking an event as the blinding of an Emperor. |
2. fig. Darkening of the mental or moral sense.
| c 1380 Wyclif De Dot. Eccl. Sel. Wks. III. 439 Love of God is quenched bi blyndyng of þe world. c 1449 Pecock Repr. v. xv. 563 Pointis of wicchecraft and blindingis. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. I. 37 The blinding of Passion. |
3. = blindage.
| 1829 Sun 17 Sept. 1/5 It was proposed..to cover the low batteries with a strong blinding. |
4. The process of covering the surface of a newly made road with fine material to fill up the spaces between the stones; also, the material used for this purpose. Cf. blind v. 9.
| 1843 Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl. VI. 274/1 The stoning and blinding is conducted in the same manner as in ordinary roads. a 1877 Knight Dict. Mech. 1926 Missionary Rec. United Free Ch. Scotl. May 224/1 The fierce wind tore the blinding from the hard clay roads. |
▪ II. ˈblinding, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That blinds. (See the vb.)
| 1784 Burns Winter i, The blinding sleet and snaw. 1860 Gosse Rom. Nat. Hist. 42 A dense fog of blinding sand. |