Obs. or arch. [f. as prec. + -ING2.] That carks.
1. An attribute of care, or the like: Burdening, distressing, grieving, wearing, fretting.
c. 1565. T. Robinson, Mary Magd., lxviii. Solace in her brest no place can finde, For carking care doth all delights together binde.
1748. Thomson, Cast. Indol., II. i. Ate up with carking care & penurie.
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, lxiv. Some carking care that would not be driven away.
2. Of persons: a. Fretting, anxious; b. Toiling, moiling; c. Miserly, niggardly.
1567. Drant, Horace Epist., II. C iij. Duke Nestor, sillie carking segge.
1579. Twyne, Phisicke agst. Fort., II. lxxxiii. 266 a. A labouryng and carkyng man, whose lyfe ought to be a patterne of all quietnesse.
1600. Heywood, 1 Edw. IV., Wks. 1874, I. 21. Whose recreant limbs are notcht with gaping scars, Thicker than any carking craftsmans score.
1720. Welton, Suffer. Son of God, II. xv. 402. Who are so extremely carking and caring about this Life.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VIII. lxxi. 331. Immensely rich and immensely carking.
1750. Berkeley, Patriotism, § 22. Ibycus is a carking, griping, closefisted fellow.
1789. D. Davidson, Seasons, 62 (Jam.). List’ning to the chirp O’ wand’ring mouse, or moudy’s carkin hoke.
