[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That cools or makes cool. spec. a. Of medicines, etc.: Lowering the temperature of the blood, refrigerant. b. Painting. Making less warm in color; toning down warm color.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., II. iii. 14. The greene leaues quiuer with the cooling winde.
1671. Milton, Samson, 626. Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb Or medicinal liquor can assuage.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 244. Pomegranates contain a Juice styptick, and extremely cooling.
1781. Cowper, Retirement, 422. The stream that spreads Its cooling vapour o’er the dewy meads.
c. 1790. Imison, Sch. Art, II. 61. Cooling crayons, composed of black and white, should succeed these, and melt into the hair.
1887. R. N. Carey, Uncle Max, viii. 69. [I] left the … cooling drink beside the sick woman.
† 2. Cooling card: see CARD sb.2 2 a. Obs.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., III. 188. A cooling card it was unto them, still to see ships arrived in the haven out of England, openlie before their faces.
1664. Marq. Worcester, in Dircks, Life, viii. (1865), 137. It would prove a cooling card to many, whose zeal otherwise would transport them.
1678. Dryden, Limberham, I. i. Wood. [Aside.] That, besides her self, is a cooling Card.
3. That is becoming cooler.
1877. J. Cook, Boston Monday Lect., Concessions of Evolutionists. In the complex conditions of a cooling planet.
Hence Coolingly adv., Coolingness.
1855. G. Meredith, Shav. Shagpat, 352. None of earth were like to them in silveriness, sweet coolingness.
1880. Lady Fl. Dixie, Across Patagonia, i. 11. We are off again, with a slight breeze stealing coolingly over us.
