Forms: 2–3 -bitunge, 4 -bytyng, -bityng, -byting, 5– bytynge, -bitynge, -bitinge, -byting, 5– -biting. [f. as prec. + -ING1.] The action of detracting, slandering, or speaking ill of one behind his back.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 205. Cursunge, bacbitunge and fikelunge.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3544. No custummable bakbytyng God forȝeueþ.
c. 1550. Avyse thee Welle, in Babees Bk. (1868), 357. Be ware of bagbytynge, y the rede.
1685. Gracian’s Courtier’s Oracle, 45. There is great difference betwixt censure and backbiting. For the one is grounded upon indifference, and the other upon malice.
1862. Trollope, Orley F., lviii. 420. Not given to backbiting.
