Keeping ppl. a.

[f. as prec. + -ING².] That keeps, in various senses (see the verb).

1

c. 1430. A B C of Aristotle, in Babees Bk., 12. [Be not] to kinde, ne to kepynge, & be waar of knaue tacchis.

2

1677. Mrs. Behn, Rover, II. ii. All this frights me not: ’tis still much better than a keeping husband.

3

1703. Rowe, Fair Penit., I. i. 236. Some keeping Cardinal shall doat upon thee.

4

1801. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Tears & Smiles, Wks. 1812, V. 30. Daughters and dead fish, we find Were never keeping wares.

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