[See -ING1.]
1. The action of the verb COPY, q.v.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong, Doublement d’escripture, a copying out of a writing.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 543, ¶ 5. Those more numerous Copyings, which are found among the Vessels of the same Body.
1812. R. H., in Examiner, 24 May, 327/2. Faithful copyings of nature.
2. attrib. and Comb., esp. of appliances for copying writing by some transfer process, as in copying-book, -ink, -machine (first patented in 1780 by James Watt), -paper, -pencil, press; also copying-instrument, an instrument for copying outlines etc.; copying-lathe (see quot. 1889); copying-ribbon, a ribbon used in a type-writing machine, when a duplicate copy is taken; copying-telegraph, a telegraphic apparatus by which, a written message being placed in the transmitter, a copy of it is produced in the receiver on the passage of the current.
1813. Jas. Watt & Co., Direct. for using Patent Copying Machine, 6. A bottle of copying ink … To prepare the Copying Paper.
1879. Print. Trades Jrnl., XXIX. 36. Press Copying-books have an unlucky knack of coming to pieces.
1882. Watts, Dict. Chem., III. 271. Copying-inks.—Inks for this purpose must be rather thick, not dry too quickly, and soften when moistened again, without becoming too fluid.
1889. E. Matheson, Aid Bk. (ed. 2), 680. Copying-lathes are those in which the shape is given to the article operated on.
