[f. CLASH v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CLASH.
a. Noisy concussion.
1618. Bolton, Florus, II. vi. 97. The extraordinary lowd clashing of their weapons.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1698), I. xvi. 448. We heard a clashing in the Water, like Boats rowing.
1882. Besant, All Sorts, 95. The bells … with a clanging and a clashing which ring like a cry of despair.
b. Collision, conflict, hostile passage.
1642. Sir J. Meldrum, in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 628. Until … France and Spain (by their mutual Clashings) have so far debilitated each other, that [etc.].
1701. J. Logan, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., IX. 66. Some clashing between the admiralty and the civil powers.
1885. Athenæum, 6 June, 721/3. Shelley and Mary continued, though not without divergences and clashings, to be genuinely attached to each other.
c. Conflict, disagreement, variance.
1656. Artif. Handsom., 22. We shall never be able to reconcile the clashings and diversities of the Scripture style and expressions.
c. 1680. in Somers, Tracts, II. 436. There is no clashing of Oaths.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VIII. 310. Concerning the drinking of Spaw-waters there is no small clashing among Authours.
1836. W. Irving, Astoria, I. 42. A clashing of claims.
d. A shaking or jolting. dial.
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., A Clashing, a shaking in a carriage; concussion, contact.
1877. Holderness Gloss., Clashin, a jolting, as of a vehicle.
