[f. LACK v.1 + -ING1.]
1. The condition of being without or in want of (something); deficiency.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIII. 26. And as low as a lombe for lakkyng of that hym nedeth.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. xiii. (1495), 872. The body is pale … for scarsytee and lackynge of blood.
c. 1440. Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), I. liii. This nought is no thinge elles but derkenes of conscyence, a lackynge of loue and of lyghte.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXI. (Percy Soc.), 100. Where that is mesure there is no lacking.
1543. trans. Act 1 Rich. III., c. 13. The sellar shall allow or rebate at the same pryce to the Byar … asmoche money as suche lackyng [F. defaute] after the rate shall amount to.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 233. At every table were apoynted .v. or .vi. gentelmen … to se them served without lacking.
a. 1851. Moir, Birth Flowers, iv. Poet. Wks. (1852), I. 133. The Dreamer wist not what might be The thing a-lacking.
† 2. The action of blaming, the condition of being blamed; blame, censure. Obs.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, III. ii. 112. Nothing by reason of that, turneth in-to thy praisinge ne lacking.
c. 1440. Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), II. xxii. To suffre at that may falle, ease or unease: praysyng or lackyng.
