▪ I. maundering, vbl. n.
(ˈmɔːndərɪŋ)
[f. maunder v.2 + -ing1.]
† 1. The action of grumbling or muttering. Obs.
| 1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girle L, Mol. Be sure you meete mee there. Trap. Without any more maundring I'le doo't. a 1716 South Serm. (1823) V. 245 The maunderings of discontent are like the voice and behaviour of a swine. 1740 tr. De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid (1741) II. 262 [She] had not digested the Blows, nor the continual Maundering she had undergone. 1816 Scott Old Mort. v, The principal object of her maundering was to display her consequence and love of power. |
2. Rambling or drivelling talk; dotage.
| 1860 Emerson Cond. Life, Worship Wks. (Bohn) II. 397 In creeds never was such levity; witness the..maundering of Mormons. 1882 Garden 30 Dec. 577/3 The crazy maunderings of sentimental anti-vivisectionists. 1903 Edin. Rev. Oct. 282 The non possumus of the Vatican left an impression of senile maundering. |
▪ II. † ˈmaundering, ppl. a.1
[f. maunder v.1 + -ing2.]
Begging.
| 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Begger Wks. i. 100/1 Suppose a Begger to be in the shape of a maundering or wandering souldier. |
▪ III. maundering, ppl. a.2
(ˈmɔːndərɪŋ)
[f. maunder v.2 + -ing2.]
† Grumbling (obs.); wandering aimlessly; doting, drivelling.
| 1848 Kingsley Saint's Trag. i. iii, Sour old maids, and maundering Magdalens. 1850 Blackie æschylus II. 69 Lest with idiocy the thunder Harshly blast your maundering wits. 1865 Trollope Belton Est. xvi, The squire with a maundering voice drawled out some expression of regret. 1904 Blackw. Mag. Feb. 191/2 Nothing is more irritating to an active long-striding sportsman..than a sluggish maundering dog. |