[f. VARY v.] The action of the verb, in various senses.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 141. Here telliþ Crist to his Chirche how þer wille shulde be temprid for variynge of þer heed after his resureccioun.
c. 1430. Syr Gener. (Roxb.), 9591. For that ye this othre day Supposed in me such variyng Whan it was told you of my wedding.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., xlviii. 218 (Add. MS.). I chaunge to the tymes, to do away the variynges.
1530. Palsgr., 284/1. Varyeng, chaungyng, muance.
1533. J. Heywood, Johan, B j b. I gyue you good leue To chastyce her for her shreude varyeng.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., 244. The Nowns haue so little varying or turning in them.
1628. T. Spencer, Logick, 48. Sinne (sayth the Apostle …) Is a varying from the Law.
a. 1695. Marq. of Halifax, Wks. (1912), 211. Neither King nor People would now like just the original Constitution, without any varyings.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Printing, 237. The varying of proper names, may be owing to the fancy of some Author … [who] ordered them to be distinguished by different characters from the Text.
1825. Carlyle, Schiller, II. (1845), 97. Those careless felicities, those varyings from high to low.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., xxiv. Had my plighted vows … ever permitted me to entertain a thought of varying, or of defection.
1901. Wrench, Winchester Word-bk., Varying, a vulgus done up to books. (obs.)
