[-ING1.]
I. The action of TINKLE v.1
1. The (subjective) ringing of the ears. Now rare.
1495. Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., XVII. clv. (W. de W.), T vij/2. Senuey … dooth awaye tynkelynge [Bodl. MS. tingelinge] & ryngynge of the eere.
1544. Phaër, Regim. Lyfe (1553), C vj. Deafenesse by wynde … in the eare,… causeth tyncklyng in the heade.
1635. Brathwait, Arcad. Pr., 104. I feele a perpetuall tinckling and sowing [? sowning] in mine eares.
1893. Med. Jrnl., IX. 145. Affected … with a difficulty of hearing, and a tinkling in the ears.
2. A succession of short light ringing sounds, as of a cymbal or a small bell; jingling. Also fig.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. 1 Cor. xiii. 35. A cymball, that with his vnprofitable tinklyng troubleth the eares.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 32. The Papists at the tinckling of a little Bell, lift up the consecrated Bread.
1651. Davenant, Gondibert, Pref. (1673), 9. Old Men … think it lyes in a kinde of tinkling of words.
1750. Gray, Elegy, 8. Drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 1021. Idle tinkling of a minstrel’s lyre.
1800. Hull Advertiser, 8 Nov., 3/3. Pretended half-guineas…, and nothing but the test of tinkling can lead to detection.
1881. Broadhouse, Mus. Acoustics, 197. That peculiar high inharmonious noise which we are accustomed to call ‘tinkling.’
II. 3. Short for tinkling grackle: see next, c.
