† knackingn.
Obsolete.
The action of knack v. in various senses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [noun] > knack or clack
knackingc1380
clacking1565
knack1565
clack1598
clack-clack1849
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 9 Veyn songis and knackynge and harpynge.
c1388 in Wyclif's Sel. Wks. III. 484 Þai wole no ferþer þen holy writte and olde seintus teche, for no newe knackynge of sotile cavellaciones.
1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. sig. c.iiijv Knakkynge of beadstones in euery pewe.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 56 A certaine significant noyse, made by knacking of the fingers.
1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 176 To compresse the middle-finger with the Thumbe by their complosion... This knacking with the Fingers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
† knackingadj.
Obsolete.
That knacks: in senses of the verb. knacking earnest, downright earnest.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [noun] > earnestness
knacking earnest1496
earnestness1532
earnesty1548
affectionatenessa1622
in-earnestness1879
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sharp or hard sound > [adjective] > knack or clack
knacking1496
clacking1611
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) i. lix. 102/1 This curyouse knackynge songe of the vycyouse mynystres in the chirche.
1526 J. Skelton Magnyfycence 33 Fel. Here you not howe this gentylman mockys. Lyb. Ye, to knackynge ernyst what an it preue?
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iii. ii. sig. D.iij Sure, the partie is in good knacking earnest.
1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 82 This knacking adjunct of expression.
1901 N.E.D. at Knacking Mod. Yorksh. Dial., He is a knacking sort of talker.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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n.c1380
adj.1496