vbl. sb. [f. as prec. + -ING1.]
1. Giving of banquets (obs.); indulgence in luxurious entertainment, feasting, carousal.
1535. Coverdale, Job i. 5. When they had passed ouer the tyme of their banckettinge rounde aboute.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), 1 Pet. iv. 3. Excesse of wine, banketings, potations. 1611 ibid. Excesse of wine, reuellings, banquettings [Gr. πότοις].
1801. Southey, Thalaba, IX. xxxi. I have seen the Gouls Fight for the dainty at their banqueting.
2. attrib. a. in general sense.
1563. Homilies, II. viii. II. (1859), 350. This feast is now prepared in God’s banqueting-house, the church.
1570–87. Holinshed, Scot. Chron., I. 365. Such banketting cheare as was used amongst his people.
1656. Cowley, Davideis, III. (1669), 112. Citron … was most used for banquetting Beds and Tables.
1814. Scott, Wav., xx. Ere Waverley entered the banqueting hall.
1852. Grote, Greece, II. lxxvii. X. 117. Phyllidas now conducted the pretended women into the banqueting-room.
† b. in reference to BANQUET v. 3, sb. 2, 3. Obs.
1586. Cogan, Haven Health, cxv. (1636), 116. To preserve Berberries whole, for a banquetting dish.
1610. Barrough, Physick, III. vii. (1639), 109. Let their banketting meetes be Pistacium, Almonds.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., I. v. ix. Philosophy should be your substantial food, Poetry your banqueting-stuff.
a. 1699. Lady Halkett, Autobiog. (1875), 12. I must come out by the Banketting howse in the garden.
