Chiefly U. S. [f. prec.]
1. trans. To grant (a person) a furlough; to give leave of absence to.
1783. N. Greene, in Sparks, Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853), IV. 38. The Northern army does not choose to be furloughed. The people here begin to be alarmed at it.
1799. G. Washington, Lett., Writ. 1893, XIV. 208. The practice of furloughing officers, and then renewing the furloughs from time to time.
1867. Emerson, May-Day & Other Pieces, Wks. (Bohn), III. 423. Amid the hue and cry Of scholars furloughed from their tasks.
1869. Lowell, Cathedral, 236. With outward senses furloughed.
2. intr. To spend a furlough.
1892. Black & White, Christm. No. 31/2. The unsteady white gaiters of two Grenadiers furloughing in the village.
