vbl. sb. [f. FREE v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb FREE.
1601. High Peak Art., l. in Mander, Derbysh. Min. Gloss. (1824), 130. Such working and freeing of the said new taker.
1619. N. Brent, trans. Sarpi’s The Historie of the Councel of Trent, I. 6 An absolution or freeing, made by authority of the Prelate, from penance which the Church in the most auncient times imposed, by way of discipline, vpon the penitent.
1631. Massinger, Emperor East, V. i.
| Nor can the freeing of an innocent | |
| From the emperor’s furious jealousy hinder her. |
1802. Mawe, Mineral Derbysh., 204 (E.D.S.), Freeing. Entering a mine or vein in the bar-masters book.
1872. Tennyson, Gareth & Lynette, 990.
| The knave that doth thee service as full knight | |
| Is all as good, meseems, as any knight | |
| Toward thy sister’s freeing. |
b. attrib. and Comb.; freeing-dish, the dish or measure of ore with which a Derbyshire lead-miner ‘frees’ his vein; freeing-port (see quot.).
1851. Act 14 & 15 Vict., c. 94, Sched. i. § 11. Being called the Freeing Dish.
1880. Times, 23 Oct., 5/4. This inner bulwark is provided at intervals with freeing ports, so that in case a sea breaks over and fills them they may quickly be relieved of the water.
