vbl. sb. [f. SUPPOSE v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb SUPPOSE.
1. † Thinking, opinion (obs.); assumption, supposition. Now usually, the expression of opinion by means of the verb ‘suppose.’
† By supposing, as is (or was) supposed; † to my supposing, as I think, in my opinion.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Clerk’s T., 985. To my supposynge She koude nat aduersitee endure.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 256. Thei spieke aloud for supposinges Of hem that stoden there aboute.
1448–9. Metham, Amoryus & Cleopes, 64. Alle thei seyd that yt was, be supposyng, Grwe; but qwat yt ment, thei nyst ryght noght at alle.
c. 1450. Lovelich, Grail, lvi. 530. More Cler to ȝoure vndirstondyng Thanne Owther Frensch Oþer latyn, to my sopposing.
1530. Palsgr., 278/2. Supposyng, conjecture.
c. 1585. [R. Browne], Answ. Cartwright, 24. By his iffs and supposings he will gather against vs what proofes he list.
1613. Wither, Abuses Stript, I. v. He nought complaines Of Mens opinions; but … Doth both their censures and supposings scorne.
1820. Byron, To Moore, 25 Dec. We should have some … composing, correcting, supposing.
1857. Mrs. Gatty, Parab. Nature, Ser. II. (1868), 97. If it comes to supposing … I shall suppose it won’t.
1880. Agnes Giberne, Sun, Moon & Stars, x. 215. But supposings often have to give in to facts.
† 2. Suspicion: to have supposing, to suspect. Obs.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 1089 (Fairf.). Supposinge [Cott., etc. mistrauing] had he sone Þat he sum wikketnes had done.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, VI. 520. The kyng, that na supposing, had That thai war mair than he saw thair.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 5049. Þe Jauelers supposyng had nane Þat he wald away gane.
† 3. Purpose, intention. Obs. rare.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 7624. For supposyng full he had, Monkys at cuthbert cors restore.
† 4. ? Substitution, replacement. Obs. rare.
1591. Lodge, Catharos (Hunter. Club), 4. Diogenes wisheth infinite good speede to your good proceedinges, and curseth endleslie your ill demeanors: wishing the last to perish without supposing, the first to flourish without supplanting.
† 5. Feigning; forgery. Obs. rare.
1655. [see SUPPOSE v. 12].
So Supposing ppl. a., that supposes; whence Supposingness.
1662. J. Chandler, Van Helmont’s Oriat., 311. The sensitive soul liveth in us,… yet because it wants a bruital and specifical supposingness, therefore it rejoyceth only in an undistinct life of light.
1865. [see SUPPOSE v. 8 g].
