vbl. sb. Obs. [f. FAND v. + -ING1.]

1

  1.  The action of trying. a. A testing or putting to the proof; a trial.

2

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 7231 (Gött.).

        Þat ofte in fanding men findes sua,
Man priueest es mast manes fa.

3

c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 147. I ne did it noght broþer but for a fondyng.

4

c. 1450.  Life of St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 2493. And send him fandyngs many ma.

5

14[?].  Jhesu, 20, in Furniv., Ballads from MSS., I. 320. Brettyng of benes & fondyng of foles, aftur they & mastures be lyght.

6

  b.  A trying to do or find out something; on attempt, experiment.

7

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 1452 (Gr.) He … of earce forlet … haswe culufran on fandunga.

8

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17756 (Cott.). All þair fanding was for noght. Ibid. (c. 1340), 23776 (Fairf.). Wiþ-outen ani fonding of fliȝt.

9

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, IV. 691.

        Thai … maks fanding
Off things to cum to haiff knawing.

10

  2.  Temptation.

11

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Interr. Sigewulfi (Mac Lean), lxix. He wyle þæt hi beon þe ȝeþungenran on þære fandunge.

12

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 69. Þet ure leue beo ure sceld aȝein þes fondes fondunge.

13

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25111 (Cott.). Lede þou vs in na fanding.

14

a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter, xvii. 32. In þe i sail be outreft fra fandynge.

15

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIV. 298. Þe fyfte is … a frende in alle fondynges.

16

1426.  Audelay, Poems, 21. Fore one fonding of the fynd fulfyl your forward.

17

1496.  Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), X. iii. 374/1. The fende whiche appered in ye lyknesse of an adder to eue & stange her full euyl & Adam also wt his wycked fondynge & slewe them bothe body & soule.

18

  3.  ? A tempting of Providence. Cf. FAND v. 1 d.

19

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, III. 289. For-owt fayntice or yheit faynding.

20