Now rare. [f. LOVE v.1 + -ING1.] The action of the vb. LOVE1.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (St. Andrew), 766. Fore, criste,… I ȝarne our althinge, to be and dwel in þi lovynge.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 544. For she taughte al the craft of fyn louinge.
c. 1400. Cursor M., 27746 (Cott. Galba). Wreth … of gude lufing it brekes þe band.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Addit., Amatio, a louynge.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., II. vii. 181. Most frendship is fayning; most Louing, meere folly.
1633. P. Fletcher, Poet. Misc., 79. What fool commends a stone for never moving?… Cease then, fond men, to blaze your constant loving.
1855. Browning, One Word More, v. Dante … Hated wickedness that hinders loving.
1885–94. R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche, May xxii. This was the lover she had lack’d, and she, Loving his loving, was his willing bride.
