[f. SUPPLE v. + -ING1.] The action of SUPPLE v.; making supple.
a. in literal senses.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., II. (1586), 87 b. Of Oyle, some part serueth for meate, and other for the sowpling of the bodie.
1655. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv. (1746), 221. The Butter … is most thin, liquid, moist and penetrating, whereby such a suppeling is procured, that their Cheeses do rather ripen than dry with long lying.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., II. vi. § 5. 173. That Cavity or Glandule … containing an unctuous substance for the suppling of the Feathers.
1676. Mace, Musick’s Mon., 56. That part … will ask good Suppleing with Water and Heat, before it will yield.
1720. W. Gibson, Diet. Horses, x. (1731), 163. The suppling of the Joints [of a horse], which is generally first practised, is very reasonable.
1802. C. James, Milit. Dict., Siguette,… a sort of nose-band … which is put on the nose of a horse, to forward the suppling or breaking of him.
1889. Baden-Powell, Pigsticking, 124. A few hours of quiet suppling and bending will amply repay the trouble.
b. in fig. senses.
1617. R. Fenton, Treat. Ch. Rome, 64. It cureth by way of suppling, to teach them to be gracious Soveraignes, to establish their royal thrones by mercy.
1625. Donne, Serm. 3 April, 26. For the suppling of boysterous, and for the becalming of tempestuous humours.
1853. Ruskin, Stones Venice, II. vi. § 59. That quickening and suppling of the dull spirit that cannot be gained for it but by bathing it in blood.
1865. Lowell, Scotch the Snake, Prose Wks. 1890, V. 245. We doubt if any substantial excellence is lost by this suppling of the intellectual faculties.
