vbl. sb. [see + -ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. FLOOD; an instance of it.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 166. The most favourite soil for this crop is on the banks of large and gentle-flowing rivers, which, by their flooding, have in the course of ages, formed the richest and deepest mould.
b. pl. Floods. In quots. fig.: Fullness, superabundance.
1674. N. Fairfax, A Treatise of the Bulk and Selvedge of the World, Ep. Ded. To … drown their sorrows for the jewel that was lost, in the floudings of their joy for the Cabinet that was left.
1854. Mrs. Browning, Drama of Exile, Poems (1850), I. 18.
| Adam. What is this, Eve? thou droppest heavily | |
| In a heap earthward; and thy body heaves | |
| Under the golden floodings of thine hair! |
2. A popular term for uterine hæmorrhage, esp. in connection with parturition.
1710. T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 299. I should by no means advise it to any of a strong and hot Constitution, nor to those that are Plethoric, or apt to Flouding.
1859. Waller. in Hulme, trans. Moquin-Tandon. II. III. 162. Of all cases of hæmorrhage, none seem more favourable for a trial of this operation, than those which occure during the puerperal state, which from their severity are termed floodings.
