[f. BUD v.1 + -ING2.]
1. That buds; in bud, sprouting.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. xvi. (1634), 82. A budding greennesse.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb., 58. My budding braunch.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., II. 765. Wanton Kids, with budding Horns.
1814. Southey, Roderick, XV. Lovely as a budding rose.
2. fig.
1581. Sidney, Apol. (Arb.), 67. We might well want words, but neuer matter, of which … we should euer haue new budding occasions.
1648. Herrick, Corinna’s a Maying. There’s not a budding boy, or girle … But is … gone to bring in May.
1664. Dryden, Rival Ladies, I. i. 186. I will not … crush a budding Virtue.
1753. Smollett, Ct. Fathom (1784), 137/2. One unlucky … circumstance blasted … the budding hopes of Melville.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., iii. (1878), 33. This gave a great help to his budding confidence.
Hence Buddingness, budding quality or condition.
In mod. Dicts.
