vbl. sb. Obs. [f. as prec.] The action of the verb; dispersing, scattering. Also, mental or spiritual distraction.
1434. Misyn, Mending Life, 110. All þe sparpilyngis of his hart fest he in on[e] desyre. Ibid., 113. Sparpillynge sumtyme comys, & wauyrynge of hart.
1483. Cath. Angl., 352/1. A Sparpyllynge, sparsio, diuisio.
1557. Ld. Warton, in Strype, Ann. Ref. (1824), VII. 382. Our men being not of power to encounter them held them close from sparpling abroad to destroy the country.
So † Sparpling ppl. a., distracting. Obs.–1
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, 66. Sturbyld he settis in pesse, & all noyse sparpilland he wastis.
