Withdrawing ppl. a.

[f. WITHDRAW v. + -ING².] That withdraws (usually in intr. senses); drawing back, retiring, receding.

1611.  Bible, Neh. ix. 29. They … withdrew the shoulder [marg. gaue a withdrawing shoulder].

a. 1748.  Thomson, Hymn Solitude, 23. Amid the long withdrawing vale.

a. 1846.  Haydon, Autob. (1853), I. 179. ‘That I can’t tell you,’ said he, with a cold, withdrawing air.

1847.  H. Miller, First Impr. Eng., ii. 27. By some long withdrawing arm of the sea.

1889.  Ruskin, Præterita, III. iv. 152. Sands which the sunset gilded with its withdrawing glow.

  Hence Withdrawingness, retiring disposition.

1795.  Jemima, I. 207. To shake off all this shyness and withdrawingness from your friends.