verb (common).—Orig. to follow the dietary prescribed by Dr. Banting for corpulence; hence to diet oneself, train.

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  1864.  Times, 12 Aug., 4, The classics seemed to have undergone a successful course of BANTING.

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  1865.  Pall Mall Gazette, 12 June G. If he is … gouty, obese, and nervous, we strongly recommend him to ‘BANT.’

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  1868.  M. E. BRADDON, Only a Clod, 113. A parlour where all the furniture seemed to have undergone a prolonged course of BANTING.

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  1881.  Echo, 24 June. There are fewer persons BANTINGISED in America than in England.

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  1883.  Knowledge, 27 July, 49, 2. BANTINGISM excludes beer, butter, and sugar.

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