vbl. sb. [f. FEAST v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. FEAST in various senses; an instance of this.

1

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, III. 1669. He spendith iustith and makith festynges.

2

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 187.

        For ȝowre frendes wil feden ȝow · and fonde ȝow to quite
Ȝowre festynge and ȝowre faire ȝifte.

3

1538.  Starkey, England, I. iii. 95. For ther was neuer so grete festyng and bankettyng.

4

1665.  Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Warres, 13. The Commons, whose whole study was Merchandizing and feasting.

5

1710.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4659/2. Publick Feastings have been made at Court twice every Week.

6

1774.  J. Bryant, A New System; or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology, III. 133. As they were giving themselves up to feasting and jollity from the plunder, which they had taken, they were set upon in the night by some of the Persian Satrapæ, and all cut off.

7

1840.  Thirlwall, Greece, VII. lix. 339. Ptolemy celebrated his second deliverance, which seemed to ensure him against a recurrence of this danger, by sacrifices and feastings.

8

  attrib.  1563.  Homilies, II., Place & Time Prayer, II. (1859), 350. Come … and cheerfully enter into Gods feastinghouse.

9

1641.  Brome, Joviall Crew, II. Wks. 1873, III. 389. The Master of your Feast and feasting-House.

10