[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That serves as a motive or impelling cause; that constrains, or actuates; inciting, spurring, stimulating, strongly prompting; compelling.
1612. Selden, Illustr. Drayton’s Poly-olb., VI. 106. If it be the same with Lyra, as some think, although urging reason and authority are to the contrary.
1668. Owen, Indwell. Sin, ii. 16. It is … an inbred, working, impelling, urging Law.
1678. Dryden, Limberham, I. i. How stand thy Affections to her, thou lusty Rogue? Wood. All o’fire: A most urging Creature!
1723. Pres. St. Russia, II. 273. Causes … weighty and urging enough for Russia to begin a War.
1728. Swift, Lett. to Abp. of Dublin, ¶ 22. We shall … sacrifice all honesty to the present urging advantage.
1802. Wolcot (P. Pindar), Isl. Innocence, 63. The sportive fry,… leaping oft as urging hunger calls, Meet the dropp’d crumb.
1870. Tyndall, Fragm. Sci. (1871), 322. It is a useful urging force.
b. dial. Of words: Taunting, irritating.
1655. N. Riding Rec. (1887), V. 191. A Sumersides yeoman [tried] for giving scandallous, urginge and provoking words.
c. Strongly operative or active.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., iii. 43. How slender a masse will remain upon an open and urging Fire of the carnall composition.
† 2. Characterized by urgency; urgent. Obs.
1647. Cotterell, Davila’s Hist. Fr., I. 49. It would be very easie, this urging necessity once past, to moderate … the … power of the Duke of Guise.
1683. Howe, Union among Prot., Wks. 1863, IV. 261. The case was at that time urging and important.
1683. Kennett, Erasm. on Folly, 150. If at any time some urging occasions require them to become entangled in secular affairs.
Hence Urgingly adv.
1893. Temple Bar, XCVII. 524. She instinctively and urgingly clapped her hands to a faster tune.
