[See -ING1.]
1. The action of STRAP v.1; also an instance of this.
1806. Sheridan, in Sheridaniana (1826), 200. Oh! I’ll give them—a strapping!
1832. Marryat, N. Forster, xlv. He … was better pleased when superintending the mousing of a stay or the strapping of a block.
1876. Dunglison, Med. Lex., Strapping, the dressing of ulcers by means of straps or strips of adhesive plaster, linen, &c.
1914. St. John Lucas, in Blackw. Mag., Feb., 161/1. Slappings, strappings, and curses were the portion of Maria Assunta.
2. concr. a. Surg. Adhesive plaster for binding up wounds.
1818. S. F. Gray, Suppl. Pharmacopœias, 243. Adhesive Plaisters, Strapping,… much used by surgeons to close the lips of wounds, and retain dressings.
1898. Eva C. E. Lückes, Gen. Nursing, vii. 86. The strapping for fractured ribs should be cut three inches wide.
b. Iron straps or bands for strengthening woodwork, etc.
1862. F. A. Griffiths, Artil. Man. (ed. 9), 107. The iron strapping is retained in its place by means of the pin.
c. Leather straps for harness, machinery, etc.
1882. J. Philipson, Harness, 17. Such parts of the hide … as are most suitable … for traces, backbands, and other heavy strapping.
1885. H. M. Newhall, in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 280/1. [Leather.] Strapping, staying, and all kinds of binding are sold by the gross.
d. Dressmaking. Trimming composed of narrow bands.
1898. Westm. Gaz., 31 March, 3/1. Velvet strappings … are quite de rigueur this spring.
1901. Daily News, 16 Feb., 6/7. The black-cloth gown … trimmed with black silk strappings. Ibid. (1904), 13 June, 5. The waistband and strappings on the bodice were of yellow velvet.
3. attrib. and Comb., as strapping plate; strapping-master, -shop (see quots.); strapping-tin, a tin containing hot water, on the outside of which surgical plaster is warmed.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, II. 233/1. The *strapping masters, or those who make the men (by extra supervision) ‘strap’ to their work, so as to do a greater quantity of labour in the usual time.
1860. Eng. & For. Mining Gloss. (ed. 2), 24 (Cornw. Terms). *Strapping plates, the iron plates by which the connection rods are fastened to each other.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, II. 304/1. The shops where this system is enforced are termed *‘strapping-shops,’ as indicative of establishments where an undue quantity of work is expected from a journeyman in the course of the day.
1898. Eva C. E. Lückes, Gen. Nursing, vii. 86. The nurse … handing the surgeon the strips … duly warmed by placing the non-adhesive side of the plaster across the hot-water *strapping tins.
