[f. ENVIRON v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb ENVIRON. Also concr. That which environs or surrounds; the circumference.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. vii. 56. Al þe envyronynge of þe erþe aboute ne halt but þe resoun of a prykke at regard of þe gretness of heuene. Ibid., V. iv. 165. But þe eye of intelligence is heyȝer for it sourmounteþ þe envirounynge of þe vniuersite, [etc.].
1656. Heylin, Surv. France, 34. The principal environings are made by the Seine and the Marne.
