[f. TOIL v.1 + -ING1.] The action of TOIL v.1 in various senses; struggling; tugging; laboring, working hard.

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c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl. (Kölbing), 6083. Ac on hors in þis toiling Was brouȝt Sornigrex þe king.

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c. 1394.  P. Pl. Crede, 753. His syre a soutere y-suled in grees, His teeþ wiþ toylinge of leþer tetered as a sawe.

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1549.  Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Phil., i. 3 b. To be losed frome the troublous toylynges of thys lyfe.

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1587.  Harrison, England, I. iv., in Holinshed, I. 7/2. When their toiling and drudgerie could not please them.

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1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 63. He … resolvs to give over toyling.

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1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res., II. v. The Day of Man’s Existence … with all its sick toilings.

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1895.  Athenæum, 9 March, 307/3. The traveller … must make up his mind to … slow toiling along miserable … roads.

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