[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That bickers; wrangling, contentious.
1808. J. Barlow, Columb., X. 60. With bickering strife inflame their furious bands.
1811. Scott, Roderick, I. xxxv. From court intrigue, from bickering faction far.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 80. Such waste-bickering Saxondom.
2. That makes a bickering sound.
1789. D. Davidson, Seasons, 156 (Jam.). The once bick’ring stream … low-growling, runs.
1827. Joanna Baillie, Elder Tree, xvii. 3. Rattle the windows with bickering hail.
3. Coruscating, flashing, quivering.
1667. Milton, P. L., VI. 767. Smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire.
1786. trans. Beckford’s Vathek (1868), 112. Their bickering sabres.
1825. Scott, Talism. (1854), 475. Spread not the flax before a bickering torch.
1876. Farrar, Marlb. Serm., xxxiv. 343. Who … played with the red fire and the bickering flames.
