[f. BOUNCE v. + -ING2.] That bounces: in various senses of the verb relating alike to loudness, brag, and vigorous or ungainly movement. Often also (like ‘thumping, whacking, whopping, strapping,’ and other words meaning vigorous striking) used with the sense of ‘big,’ esp. ‘big rather than elegant or graceful.’
(In many of the quotations the exact shade of meaning is doubtful.)
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Aug., 61. I saw the bouncing Bellibone.
1588. Marprel. Epist. (Arb.), 34. Can they not be satisfied with the blessing of this braue bounsing priest?
1602. Return from Parnass., IV. i. (Arb.), 50. I am well prouided of three bounsing wenches.
1606. J. Raynolds, Dolarney’s Prim. (1880), 97. The bounsing Doa, vnto the brakes did come.
1611. Coryat’s Crudities, Pref. Verses. Oh for a bonny blith and bounsing ballet To praise this Odcomb’d Chanticleere.
1663. Fuller, Worthies (1840), 363. His mother … lay down her burthen at Elmeby … where this bouncing babe Bonner was born.
1736. H. Walpole, Corr. (1820), I. 8. A bouncing head of, I believe, Cleopatra.
1743. Mrs. Delany, Autobiog. & Corr. (1861), II. 237. [She] is as bouncing as ever, and as loud.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., III. I never saw such a bouncing swaggering puppy since I was born.
1807. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 101. The bouncing letter he published, and the insolent one he wrote to me.
1813. Waugh, Lett., in Mem., v. (1839), 310. An inexperienced, bouncing but well-disposed young woman.
1837. J. Lang, New S. Wales, II. 378. It has even given birth to a school of oratory in the colony—the bouncing school, it may be styled.
1841. Mrs. Mozley, Fairy Bower, iv. She was … bold Belle, and bouncing Belle, and every thing but bonny Belle.
1847. Barham, Ingol. Leg., St. Cuthb. Stephen de Hoaques … had told all the party a great bouncing lie.
Hence Bouncingly adv., boastfully, blusteringly.
a. 1677. Barrow, Pope’s Suprem. (1683), 265 (L.). Pighius said, bouncingly, The judgment of the Apostolick See with a Council of domestick Priests, is far more certain than the judgment of an universal Council of the whole earth without the Pope.
