[f. WITHSTAND v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb WITHSTAND; opposition, resistance.
13[?]. K. Alis., 2168 (Laud MS.). Stif wiþstondyng & wiȝth fleiȝeyng.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 12049. Þy wyþstondyng haþ hym rafte Of hys temptyng alle þe crafte.
1340. Ayenb., 29. Wy[þ]stondinge, þet is hardnesse of herte.
1493. [H. Parker], Dives & Pauper, III. xiii. (1496), 148/2. They shall haue sotylte of bodye without ony withstandynge, for ther shal no thynge withstande them.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. vi. 6 b/1. The first went with ladders in to the dykes. They founde no withstandyng.
1650. Trapp, Comm. Deut. xii. 3. Notwithstanding the withstandings of the rude rabble.
1696. Aubrey, Misc., ii. 28. To make several withstandings against the Shock of Fortune.
1842. Newman, Corr. (1917), 174. No one can tell how much there is in sympathy, over and above the influence one may have in withstanding.
So Withstanding ppl. a., that withstands.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac., III. Misc. I. ii. 15. The tumid Bladder…, bursts the withstanding Casements.
