[f. TWINE v.1 + -ING1.] The action of the verb TWINE; twisting, spinning, winding, embracing, writhing.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. cxlii[i]. (Bodl. MS), lf. 227 b/1. Smal [weþies] … beþ made stronge wiþ … windinge as þrede is wt twynynge.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 505/1. Twynynge (or wyn(d)ynge, of threde…), tortura.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet. (1580), 101. A priuie twinyng, or close crepyng in, to win fauour…, called insinuation.
a. 1639. Webster, Appius & Virginia, IV. ii. The rude twinings of a lecherous judge.
a. 1703. Pomfret, Poet. Wks. (1833), 21. Love to one centre every twining brought.
1841. Emerson, Lect., Man the Reformer., Wks. (Bohn), II. 238. Inextricable seem to be the twinings and tendrils of this evil.
1872. G. B. Cheever, Lect. Pilgr. Progr., ii. 44. The twinings and wrestlings, the strivings and agonies of Bunyan’s spirit.
1875. Bennett & Dyer, Sachs’ Bot., 772. The Twining of Climbing Plants…. Twining is a consequence of unequal growth, of a revolving nutation.
attrib. 1648. Hexham, II. Een Twern ofte twijn-molen, a Twinning-mill.
