Forms: see LIE v.2 [f. LIE v.2 + -ING1.] The action of LIE v.2; the telling of lies. † In 16–17th c. sometimes in plural.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter v. 7 (MS. Egerton). Þou leses alle þat speke liyhinge.
1340. Ayenb., 143. Him hit þingþ þet hit is al wynd and metinge and lyeȝynge.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 13302. My condicioun ys to lye;… With lyyng I shal deceyue the.
1577. Northbrooke, Dicing (1843), 68. If for ydle wordes, what for hurtfull words? what for lyings?
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, V. xxviii. 412. The Divell … did steale all that he could from the trueth, to imploy it in his lyings and deceits.
1656. E. Reyner, Rules Govt. Tongue, 16. Lying is an ungodly, devilish and damnable practice.
1827. Mrs. A. Opie (title), Illustrations of Lying in All its Branches.
1863. Mrs. Riddell, World in Ch., III. 41. Lying is the employment of the lower orders, and the recreation of the higher.
personified. 1606. Dekker, Sev. Sins, II. (Arb.), 21. Lying is Father to Falshood, and Grandsire to Periury.
¶ b. Alleged name for a ‘company’ of pardoners.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, F vij. A Lyeng of perdeneris.
