[f. JUSTIFY v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. JUSTIFY. a. The action of making, proving or accounting just; justification.
1382. Wyclif, Rom. iv. 25. The which is bitakun for oure synnes, and roos aȝen for oure iustifyinge.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 59. This excuse is so … large, that it may extend as well to the iustifying of the absurdest errours.
a. 1769. R. Riccaltoun, Notes Galatians, Wks. 1772, III. 109. Justifying implies more than bare pardon. It supposes a judicial procedure.
† b. Condemnation; execution. Sc. Obs.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (1899), I. 183. To saif the lordis from iustifieing in the Kingis furie.
† 2. An ordinance; = JUSTIFICATION 2. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. cxviii. [cxix.] 5. Wolde God weren dressid my weies; to be kept thi iustifiyngus.
1395. Purvey, Remonstr., 32. That thei kepe the iustifyingis of God, and seken out his comaundementis.
1526. Tindale, Heb. ix. 1. That fyrst tabernacle verely had iustifyinges and servynges off God.
3. In Type-founding and Printing: see JUSTIFY v. 9. Justifying-stick, an attachment to a type-setting machine for justifying the lines.
1671–2. T. Marshall, Lett. to Dr. Fell, 19 Jan. (in H. Hart, Cent. Typogr. Oxford, 166/2). Ye Founders … have no regard to cutting & justifying, unless perhaps to supply a Defect, or two.
1683. [see JUSTIFY v. 9].
