vbl. sb. [f. LESS v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb LESS; lessening, diminution; abatement.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr. (1866), 4. This es full joye … and if we vse it we sall be fyllyde euer withowttyne lessynge.
1357. Lay Folks Catech., 335. In lessyne [Lamb. MS. lessyng] of payne.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xli. (Agnes), 5. As of habundance is na lessing na of his riches ne mynissing.
1438. Buke Alex. Great, 107. To get lessing of my torment.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 196. A lessyng of blood doth awey þe maladye.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxvi. 100. Quhilk is ane lessing of my pane.
