[f. AMBLE v. + -ING1.]
1. Of a horse: Motion in an amble.
1580. Baret, Alv., A 344. The pleasant pase or ambling of a horse, Glomeratio.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., IV. vi. 193. They move per latera, that is two legs of one side together, which is Tollutation or ambling.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Horse, Ambling; which is chosen for Ease, Great Men’s Seats, or long Travel, is a Motion contrary to Trotting.
1847. Youatt, Horse, ii. 19. As for trotting, cantering, or ambling, it would be an unpardonable fault were he ever to be guilty of it.
2. Of persons: Dancing or walking in an amble; tripping, gliding, walking affectedly.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iv. 11. I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will beare the light.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), I. x. 65. What … your uncle Antony means by his frequent amblings hither.
1810. Crabbe, Borough, xix. 35. Their wanton ambling and their watchful wiles.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xii. For all thy mincing and ambling.
3. attrib. (formally identical w. AMBLING ppl. a.)
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 9. Sette a colte in aumblyng ringes, he wille use it whiles thei aren on.
1580. Tusser, Husb., xcv. ii. Least homelie breaker mar fine ambling ball.
a. 1635. Corbet, Poems (1807), 19. A wondrous witty ambling pace.
1842. Tennyson, Lady of Shalott, II. 20. An abbot on an ambling pad.
a. 1845. Hood, Paul Pry, vi. Thy pace, it is an ambling trot.
