[-ING1.] The action of the vb. COMMUNE, in various senses: † a. Sharing, participating; b. Holding converse or communion; c. Communion, fellowship.

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a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25087 (Cott.). To haf wit santes communing.

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a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, vi. 1. Comunynge of sacrament of þe autere.

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a. 1400.  Credo, in Rel. Ant., I. 38. I byleve in … holy chirche general, the comunyng of halewes.

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a. 1500.  Prose Legends, in Anglia, VIII. 130. Cownseylles and communynges.

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1509.  Paternoster, Ave & Creed (W. de W.), A iij. I trowe in … holy chirche unyversall, comunynge of sayntes.

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1548.  Gest, Pr. Masse, 108. Mutual receipt and comunyng of them.

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1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res., III. ii. That Communing of Soul with Soul.

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1863.  Burton, Bk. Hunter, 334. His communings with his own heart.

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