[f. ADDRESS v. + -ING1.] The action of righting, preparing; acting with address or dexterity (obs.); of directing or speaking directly to. (Now mostly gerundial.)
1601. Bp. Barlow, Serm. Paules Crosse, Pref. 3. The addressing my selfe to this sermon.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xvii. (1632), 362. Of addressing, dexteritie, and disposition, I never had any.
1611. Cotgr., Adressement, an addressing … or setting in the nearest and readiest course.
a. 1682. in Roxb. Ballads, IV. 256. With Abhorring and Adressing their time is spent.
1845. Carlyle, Cromwell (1871), I. 29. Immense sumptuosities, addressings, knight-makings, ceremonial exhibitions.
Mod. Blamed for wrongly addressing the letter.
