[f. FURNISH v. + -MENT. Cf. F. fournissement.]

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  1.  The action of furnishing or supplying; the state of being furnished or supplied.

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1563.  Man, Musculus’ Commonpl., 43 b. The hartes are so possesed with such blinde persuasion, that they think they do God exceding high seruice, if thei bestow a great deale vpon the furnishment of images.

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1592.  Daniel, Epist. Bp. Winchester, Poems (1717), 426. Yet, Rev’rend Lord, vouchsafe me Leave to bring One Weapon more unto your Furnishment.

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a. 1627.  Hayward, Four Y. Eliz. (Camden), 96. He sent Briguemant into England to deal with the Queen for some furnishment of men.

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1631.  J. Weever, Ancient Funerall Monuments, 12. A feast of magnificent furnishment.

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a. 1639.  Wotton, in Reliq. Wotton. (1651), 317. The culture and furnishment of the mind.

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1644.  Vicars, Jehovah-Jireh, 68. Cambridge Countie also petitioning the Parliament for furnishment of Armes.

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a. 1670.  Hacket, Abp. Williams, I. (1692), 176. Yet with all this Furnishment, out of a Custom which Modesty had observ’d, Sir Thomas Deprecated the Burthen.

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1895.  Daily News, 11 Jan., 3/1. The grannies had no real cause for complaint of the furnishment of the tea table.

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  2.  pl. Supplies in general; munitions (of war). Now rare.

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1558–9.  Abp. Parker, Corr. (Parker Soc.), 58. And as for other furnishments I am too far behind.

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1617.  S. Daniel, The Collection of the Historie of England, 93. No other thing was thought or talked on, but onely preparations, and furnishments for this businesse.

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1619.  trans. P. Mexia, Treas. Anc. & Mod. T., II. III. xxi. 345. The Castle … was munited with Artillery of all sorts, and other funushments for warre, in great plenty.

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1880.  L. Wallace, Ben-Hur, V. xi. 346. A dog of Israel—Sanballat by name—purveyor for the army; residence, Rome; vastly rich; grown so as contractor of furnishments which he never furnishes.

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