vbl. sb. [f. VOID v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb, in various senses.
1. The discharging, emitting or evacuation of something; = VOIDANCE 1 a. Now rare.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 304. Thurgh voidyng of venym with vomettes grete.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 26. So by tuo hole natural daies be it noȝt moued, bot if voydyng of þe wombe make it.
1545. Raynald, Byrth Mankynde, Hh iij. Betwene each voydynge of these lumps of blud.
1611. Cotgr., Vuidement, a voyding, emptying, euacuating.
1671. Grew, Anat. Plants, iv. § 19. It still gives way to the voyding of the Sap in these, for the mounting of that in the Root.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Exgurgitation, a casting or voiding up.
† 2. The emptying out, clearing or sending away, removing, etc., of things or persons. Obs.
c. 1435. Chron. London (Kingsford, 1905), 36. The same kyng … hath Juggid Thomas Arundell … to perpetuel exile and voydyng oute off the Rewme.
1477–9. Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905), 82. For voyding of ij Tonne owte of a pryve.
1513. Bk. Keruynge, in Babees Bk. (1868), 272. Keruynge of brede, layenge, & voydynge of crommes.
c. 1530. H. Rhodes, Bk. Nurture, ibid., 67. Then if so be ye haue any more courses then on or two, ye may make the more hast in voyding.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 101. The voiding of all Scottishmen out of England.
1688. Sir E. Herbert, Hales’ Case, 24. The Statutes for Voiding of Aliens out of the Kingdom.
† 3. = VACATION 2. Obs.–1
1468. Liber B. (Maldon, Essex), fol. 14. Ner noon a-rest make with-oute a warant of the court, but in the tyme of voydyng.
† 4. The avoidance of something. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. i. (1495), Yj/1. Beestes … haue redynesse of wytte in … flyghte and voydynge of harme.
1519. Interl. Four Elem. (Percy Soc.), 35. And therfore thou shalt have another, For voydynge of stryfe.
1538. Starkey, England, I. ii. 30. The wyl of man euer commynly folowyth that to the wych opynyon of perseuying the gud or voydyng of the yl ledyth hyt.
† 5. The action of leaving or going away from a place, etc. Obs.
1597. Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 33. Yet notwithstanding for all their voyding and shifting, the pestilence followed them whither soeuer they went.
1661. Morgan, Sph. Gentry, IV. iii. 39. The whiche … at their voiding and going out shall abide and go in order, so as they sate at the table.
6. Her. (See quot. 1610 and VOIDED ppl. a. 2 c.) Also, the vacant space made in the voided charge or ordinary.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, II. v. 49. Voiding … is the exemption of some part of the inward substance of things voidable, by occasion whereof the Field is transparent thorow the Charge. [Hence in subsequent glossaries and Dicts.]
1722. A. Nisbet, Her., 48. If the Voiding be of a different Tincture from the Field.
1828. [see VOIDED ppl. a. 2 c].
7. The action of rendering void or invalid; = VOIDANCE 4.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., IV. x. 488. Now you inquire of the annulling or voiding of marriages made unlawfully.
1707. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., II. 145. That the voiding of one part might void the whole.
8. That which is voided or evacuated: a. pl. Excrements of persons or animals; castings of worms. rare.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 69. Here be solde the voydings of close stooles.
1864. Morn. Star, 14 Oct. It was manured year after year by the voidings of sheep only.
1880. Libr. Univ. Knowl. (N.Y.), VI. 582. Voidings and trails of worms.
† b. Fragments or remains of food removed from the table. = VOIDANCE 6. Obs.
1680. Otway, Caius Marius, IV. ii. He … fed upon the voidings of my table.
1713. Rowe, Jane Shore, V. Oh! bestow Some poor remain, the voiding of thy table, A morsel to support my famish’d soul.
9. attrib., as † voiding beer, beer given or drunk immediately before departing (cf. VOIDEE); † voiding knife, a knife used to clear away fragments of food from the table; † voiding plate = VOIDER 3 a.
1520. Whitinton, Vulg. (1527), 42 b. Set down a charger or a voyder & gadre vp the fragmentes therin, & wt the voydynge knyfe gadre vp the … cromes clene.
a. 1600. Deloney, Gentle Craft, II. ix. Wks. (1912), 193. I must be constrained to call my Maid for a cup of voyding beere ere you will depart.
1607. Lingua, V. xiii. K iij [Stage direction]. Gvstvs with a voiding knife in his hand.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, II. vi. 64. These are called Voiders, either because of the Shallownesse wherein they doe resemble the accustomed voiding Plates with narrow brims vsed at Tables, or [etc.].
1649. in Archaeol. (1806), XV. 281. 2 Voyding knives with christall handles.
