Forms: 1 ásc-, ácsung, 3 ax-, escunge, ascing, 4–5 ask-, axyng(e, + -6 askinge, 5– asking: other variants of the root as in ASK. [f. ASK v.: see -ING1.]
1. The action of putting a question, interrogation, inquiry.
c. 835. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxix. § 4. Hit is þeaw þære spræce and þære ácsunge. Ibid., Boeth. Metr., xxii. 41. Mid ascunga.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 338. Or þe axunge mei uallen vuel.
c. 1225. St. Marherete (1866), 16. Stew þe, steorue, ant stille beo þin escunge.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wicket, 15. The puttynge awaye of fylthenes of the fleshe, and the axynge of good conscience. [Cf. 1 Pet. iii. 21 (revised) interrogation.]
1794. Burns, Lett., in Wks. (Globe), 549. Do not miss asking for him.
† 2. An inquiry, a question. Obs.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 35. Quen Crist thair asking herd, Ful mildely he thaim ansuerd.
c. 1410. trans. Bonaventura’s Myrrour (Pynson), viii. D j. Our lady … answereth sadly and shortly to theyr askynges.
3. The action of requesting a favor, gift, etc.; praying, begging.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 11. After clepenge and ascinge.
1340. Ayenb., 198. He deþ bet þet yefþ wyþoute aksinge.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. i. 4. Bestowing on him, at his asking, The Archbishopricke of Toledo.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, I. 34. A lass that may be had for the asking.
4. A petition, prayer, a supplication. arch.
c. 1300. Cursor M., 3301. Þine asking Es noght bot a litell thing.
1388. Wyclif, Bar. ii. 14. Lord here thou oure axyngis and our preyeris.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 101. He neuer denyed hem her petycyons and askynges.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, IX. iii. 53. Grant this ane axing quhilk I the requeyr.
1607. Shaks., Cor., I. vi. 65. Yet dare I neuer Deny your asking.
1860. Tennyson, Tithonus, 16. Then didst thou grant mine asking with a smile.
† 5. price asked, a demand. Obs.
1615. T. Adams, White Devil, 59. He makes his owne price, for they gave him his asking.
1637. Sanderson, 21 Serm., Ad Aul. v. (1673), 71. Naboth shall have his own asking.
† 6. a. An appeal; a calling for justice, or to the law. b. Oppression, exaction. Obs.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. viii. 6. In euery ryghtwys court … admytted to make his compleynt, and purpoos his askynge.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., cxxxiv. 114. He did grete destruction to holy chirche thurugh wrongful taking and axyngs.
7. The publication of banns of marriage. fam.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Banns, The publication of banns (popularly called asking in the church).
1824. Byron, Juan, XVI. lxxxviii. At the third asking of the bans He started.
1865. B. Brierley, Irkdale, II. 187. The ‘askings’ had been called over three consecutive Sundays.
