[f. KILL v. + -ING2.]
1. That kills or deprives of life. lit. and fig.
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, 89. Bittyr hony & kyllande fruyte.
1609. Bible (Douay), Jer. xxii. 7. I wil sanctifie upon thee a killing man and his weapons.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. ii. 355. The third day, comes a Frost; a killing Frost.
1646. P. Bulkeley, Gospel Covt., I. 95. These are the killing and destroying sinnes, that leave no remedy.
1703. Kelsey, Serm., 130. The killing Interpretations of Pharisaical Pride.
1821. Shelley, Hellas, 234. Apollo, Pan, and Love … Grew weak, for killing Truth had glared on them.
b. Of bait, etc.: Deadly; sure to kill.
1681. Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m., iv. § 25 (1689), 56. As killing a Bait as any whatever.
1867. F. Francis, Angling, i. (1880), 46. Fishing with the young frog is a very killing method of fishing for chub.
2. In hyperbolic use: Able to kill. a. Crushing, oppressive; fatal.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 194. Where they say that the blessed Virgine … fell into a trance at the sight of that killing spectacle.
a. 1711. Ken, Serm., Wks. (1838), 184. It was a killing consideration, to lie buried in such a sorrow.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 152. The killing languor and over-laboured lassitude of those who have nothing to do.
1841. Catlin, N. Amer. Ind. (1844), II. xxxvii. 37. Unshackled by the killing restraints of society.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxix. The General went on with killing haughtiness.
† b. Of a proof or argument: That ‘settles’ an opponent; overpowering, fatal. Obs.
1654. Bramhall, Just Vind. (1661), 249. To this supposed killing argument I give three clear solutions.
1673. Ess. Educ. Gentlewom., 32. This is the killing Objection.
1676. Marvell, Mr. Smirke, 30. Away he goes with it … and knocks all on the head with a killing Instance.
c. Overpoweringly beautiful or attractive.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., Ded. A ij b. Those who are suddenly taken with a killing beautie.
1676. Wycherley, Pl. Dealer, II. Wks. (Rtldg.), 115/2. With you ladies too, martial men must needs be very killing.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 40. The maid … tiffing out her mistress in a killing attire.
1840. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xx. Curling her hair on her fingers,… and giving it some killing twists.
d. Physically overpowering; exhausting.
1850. T. A. Trollope, Impress. Wand., xxv. 383. The last three hours of our journey were the most killing part of the day’s work.
1855. W. H. Russell, The War, xxvii. 17. The pace at which they went was really ‘killing.’
e. ‘Excruciatingly’ funny; that makes one ‘die’ with laughing. colloq.
3. As adv. KILLINGLY.
1670. Dryden, Conq. Granada, II. i. Having seen you once so killing Fair, A second Sight were but to move Despair.
1883. Stevenson, Silverado Sq. (1886), 3. The ocean breeze blew killing chill.
Hence Killingly adv., in a killing manner; Killingness.
[1593. Nashe, Christ’s T. (1613), 134. Sight-killingly.]
1641. Milton, Animadv., Pref. Nothing could be more killingly spoken.
1642. J. Eaton, Honey-c. Free Justif., 124. We must all preach it [the Law] … as killingly as we can.
1730. Lillo, George Barnwell, I. ii. Mill. How do I look to-day, Lucy? Lucy. Oh, killingly, madam! A little more red, and you’ll be irresistible.
1839. Bailey, Festus, xx. (1852), 313. There are three things I love half killingly.
1840. R. Bremner, Excurs. Denmark, etc. I. 314. A large bunch of flowers in the hand, or on the breast, which most of the young fellows displayed with conscious killingness.
