arch. Also 5 engenderure. [a. OF. engendreure (= Pr. engenradura), f. engendrer: see ENGENDER v.]
† 1. The action of engendering. a. Generation, procreation. b. Copulation. Obs.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 139. Folye hyt hys to meche to thynche Of the engendrure … Of Fader and Sone.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 301. Whan he useth his wyf withoute soverayn desir of engendrure.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (1835), 51. Be kyndly engenderure To joyen in the lykenesse of ther nature.
1555. W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, I. ii. B vi. Those [beastes] … encreased by mutualle engendrure, the varietie, and nombre.
2. Parentage, descent, origin.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VII. 219. Go to Genesis þe Ieaunt engendrure [1377 engendroure] of vs alle.
c. 1475. Partenay, 5750. Off Tristram-is line was hys engendrure.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 380/4. Fortune onely of engendrure and happe doth al.
1884. Sala, in Illustr. Lond. News, 16 Feb., 147. It is singular that so many prominent members of the Times staff should have been of West Indian engendrure.
