[f. prec. sb.]
1. intr. To go into the field (see FIELD sb. 2); of a pigeon: To obtain its food from the field.
1868. Darwin, Anim. & Pl., II. 32. Highly improved breeds of the pigeon will not ‘field’ or search for their own food.
2. trans. a. To leave (corn) in the field to harden. b. transf. To expose (malt-wash or gyle in casks) to the action of the air and sun to promote oxidation.
1844. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., V. I. 267. [The oats] after being well fielded, were thrashed immediately.
† 3. a. intr. To ‘take the field’ (see FIELD sb.. 7); to fight. b. trans. To fight with. Obs.
1529. Lyndesay, Compl., 355.
| And feildit vther, in land and burgh, | |
| Att Lyithgow, Melros, and Edinburgh. |
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 598. How King Malolme and the Danis feildit agane.
1536. Bellenden, Cron. Scot. (1821), I. 135. It was defendit, be decreit of Parliament, efter slauchter of sa mony vailyeant Scottis, to feild the Romanis with plane battall, or to jeoperde the realm undir the chance of ane battall.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. vi. 29.
| And therewithall he fiercely at him flew, | |
| And with importune outrage him assayld; | |
| Who soone prepard to field, his sword forth drew, | |
| And him with equall value counteruayld. |
4. intr. To bet on the field (see FIELD sb. 10 a) against the favourite.
1886. Daily News, 4 June, 3/3. A marked disposition to ‘field’ on the Grand Prize of Paris. Ibid. (1890), 19 June, 6/1. The professionals fielded staunchly.
5. a. intr. To act as fielder in base-ball, cricket, etc. b. trans. To stop and return (the ball).
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1863), 41. Batting, bowling, and fielding, as if for life.
1880. Sir S. Lakeman, What I saw in Kaffir-Land, 57. They fielded for the cannon-shot as they rebounded from the rocks as though they were cricket-balls.
1883. Daily Tel., 21 Aug. The ball being sharply fielded at cover-point.
Mod. Well fielded, Sir!
