[f. CONFIRM + -ING1.]
1. The action of the verb CONFIRM; confirmation.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 277. And myd gode chartre … made confermyng.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 364. Confermyng of men is nought but ȝif God conferm bifore.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Jas. V., Wks. 108. The confirming of a peace between the emperor and the French king.
† 2. The religious rite of confirmation. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 19552 (Cott.). Mai naman … Conferming giue, bot biscop hand.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 7. The secunde sacrament es confermynge.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxvi. § 6. The manner … was in confirming to use anointing.
