vbl. sb. [f. FEND v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. FEND; an instance of this; esp. in fending and proving (cf. FEND v. 2).
1583. Rich, Phylotus & Emelia (1835), 31. After greate fendyng and prouyng had in the matter.
1655. Fuller, The Church-History of Britain, VIII. iii. § 9. Much fending, and proving there was betwixt them, whether Schismatick was properly applyable to such.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 95, 12 Feb., ¶ 2. I was bred a Disputant, trained up in all the Arts of domestick Sophistry, initiated in a thousand low Stratagems, nimble Shifts, and fly Concealments; versed in all the Turns of Altercation, and acquainted with all the Discipline of Fending and Proving.
1771. Contemplative Man, ii. 10. There’s no fending against Wind and Water: The Hurricanes of the East and West Indies no Mortal can foresee.
1824. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 407. I do not publish these things, because my rule of life has been never to harass the public with fendings and provings of personal slanders; and least of all would I descend into the arena of slander with such a champion as Mr. Pickering.
2. Sc. Provision.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xi. ‘That hae stouth and routh, and fire and fending, and meat and claith.’
