[f. SPINDLE sb. or v.]
1. a. The action of providing with a spindle or spindles. rare–1. b. (See quot. 1611.)
1441–2. Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 185. In reparacione molendini…, viz. in spyndillyng et factura unius novi saylyerde, iiis. viiid.
1611. Florio, Fusarie, trifles, toyes, spindlings.
2. The formation of a stem, stalk, or shoot, in plants.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 669. Another ill accident is drouth at the Spindling of the Corn, which with us is rare.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 145. Their Leaves … may be tied in knots, which will prevent their spindling.
1726. Dict. Rust. (ed. 3), Spindling, a term which Gardiners use, to signify the first Appearance or putting forth of Flowers, Stems, or their running up in Length.
3. A spindly plant, animal, etc.
1842. Tennyson, Amphion, xii. Half-conscious of the garden-squirt, The spindlings look unhappy.
1852. P. Parley’s Ann., 330. Black sheep, or white sheep,… fat tails, or spindlings.
