hyphening,vbl.n.|ˈhaɪfənɪŋ| [f. hyphen v. + -ing1.] The action of the vb. hyphen. 1929Conc.Oxf.Dict. p. ix, A consequence of this reformed hyphening is that the presence of a hyphen in such a compound [as tipsy cake] assures the reader that the word-stress falls on the first part.