1.  The shedding of blood, slaughter.

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a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 50. Mid hore blodshedunge irudded & ireaded, ase þe martirs weren.

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1297.  R. Glouc., 548. Þerafter com muche blodssedinge.

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1494.  Fabyan, V. lxxxvi. 64. The Kynge whiche is cruell and full of blode shedynge.

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1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. vii. 108. These hands are free from guiltlesse bloodshedding.

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1868.  Gladstone, Juv. Mundi, x. (1870), 384. With respect to blood-shedding, the morality of the Greeks of Homer was extremely loose.

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  † b.  The shedding of one’s own blood; submission to a bloody death. Cf. BLOODSHED 3. Obs.

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a. 1533.  Frith, Disput. Purgat. (1829), 136. Jesus Christ … hath delivered us through his blood-shedding.

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1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 116. Ye precious death, passion, blood-shedding, and obedience of Christe Jesus.

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