vbl. sb. [f. ABANDON v. + -ING1.] Used in various senses of the verb.
1. The action of giving up, forsaking, deserting.
1640. Bp. Hall, Christian Mod., 32 (Ward’s rep.). It is more profitable to endure a scandal than an abandoning of truth.
1651. Sir W. Rawleigh’s Ghost, 217. The Israelites returned again to their old vomit by abandoning of God.
1790. Burke, Reg. Peace, Let. IV. Wks. V. 98. When thus the helm of justice is abandoned, an universal abandoning of all other posts will succeed.
† 2. The action of banishing, casting out, expulsion. Obs.
1611. Speed, Hist. of Gr. Brit., VII. xxxvi. 332. For the better ordering and administring of iustice, and for the abandoning of theeues.
1660. Milton, Free Commw., 449. The abandoning of all those whom they call Sectaries, for the detected Falshood and Ambition of som.
