vbl. sb. Obs. Forms: 2–4 levening, 4 levynynge, levennyng, 5 leyfnyng, lewenynge. [f. LEVIN v. + -ING1.] Lightning. Also, the bright flashing of any light.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 533. Wynd þat blaws o loft, O quilk es thoner and leuening ledd.
c. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, lxxvi. 18. Þi leuynyngis shane til þe erth.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxxi. 139. With grete thunders and leuennynges and hidous tempestez.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 377. In my face the levening smate.
c. 1400. Melayne, 815. The levenynge of [þair] baners clere Lyghtenes all þat lande.
1483. Cath. Angl., 215/1. To Levyn or to smytte with ye lewenynge.
attrib. a. 1547. Surrey, Æneid, II. 853. Sins that the sire of Gods and king of men Strake me with thonder, and with leuening blast.
