arch. [f. LET v.2 + -ING1.] The action of LET v.2; delaying, hindering, an instance of this; also quasi-concr., a hindrance, an obstacle; frequent in † but, without letting, without hindrance, without delay.
c. 1020. Rule St. Benet (Logeman), 87. Oðer lettincge þæt he na þoliʓe.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron., an. 1101 (Laud MS.). Se cyng syððan scipa ut on sæ sende his broðer … to lættinge.
a. 1240. Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 187. Þe bitternesse of mine sunnen attri is þe lettunge.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3204. Non man on hem letting dede.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 263/76. With-oute lettingue In heo ȝeode.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3199. O þis letting was he ful glad. Ibid., 4914. For drightin dos vs na letting.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, II. 12. The lord the bruce, but mar letting, Gert priuely bryng Stedys twa.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (St. Andrew), 974. Þat mycht be hendringe to myn fame, and lattinge als to ȝore gud name.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 425. Seynt Poule biddes men preye wiþouten lettynge.
c. 1400. Melayne, 1503. Go we to your company … Late ther be no Lettynge.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IX. 1183. And our he swam; for lattyng fand he nocht.
1486. Marg. C’tess Oxford in Four C. Eng. Lett., 7. To the letting of his seid purpose.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), I. i. 8. He maye be in the waye of saluacyon if he haue none other lettynge.
1657. Divine Lover, 299. The waye is … full of … theiues, and many other greate lettings.
† b. Wasting (of time). Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xx. (1495), 616. Whiche were ouer noyouse and gretly lettynge of tyme to reherse theym here al arowe.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., V. cxvii. 92. To shewe here the vayne and dissymulyd sorowe that Fredegunde made for the Kynge, it were but lettynge of tyme.
