vbl. sb. [f. AIR v. + -ING1.]
1. The action or process of exposing to fresh or dry air, or (anything slightly damp) to heat.
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., I. i. (1616), 610. Hee’ll send word, for ayring o’ the house.
1611. Cotgr., Ventilation, a winnowing, or airing in the wind.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 343. To discharge some of the superfluous moisture … they require Airing.
1685. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 330, IV. 89. Fire … at Montague House … occasioned by the Steward’s airing some hangings.
2. A walk, ride, or drive to take the air. (Now rarely of a walk.)
1629. Massinger, Picture, V. i. How do you like Your airing?
1704. Addison, Italy (1733), 22. To give their Ladies an Airing in the Summer-season.
1791. Boswell, Johnson (1831), V. 88. He frequently attended him in airings.
c. 1815. Miss Austen, Northang. Ab. (1833), I. ix. 50. I hope you have had a pleasant airing.
1836. Marryat, Japhet, lxxvi. 142/1. You would have no objection to take an airing in the carriage.
3. Exercising of horses in the open air.
1631. Markham, Way to Wealth, I. I. i. (1668), 6. Let him [the horse] have much moderate exercise, as Morning and Evening ayrings.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., It is from long airings that we are to expect to bring a horse to a perfect wind.
