stirringn.
/ˈstəːrɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈstərɪŋ/ The action of stir v., in various senses.† 3. † b. Of a horse: The designation of a particular kind of pace. Cf. stirrer n. 3b, stirring adj. 2b.
1. The action of moving (in general sense); movement, motion. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > [noun]
stirringc888
pacec1300
wawingc1305
bestirring1340
movinga1382
movementa1393
startlinga1398
flittinga1400
motionc1425
shiftingc1440
agitation1573
motiveness1611
go1635
moment1641
remover1653
move1818
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > [noun]
stirringc888
maleasea1300
uneasea1300
diseasec1330
perturbationa1382
unrestfulnessc1384
disturbancea1387
unroc1390
distroublancea1400
perturbancec1425
unquietnessc1460
inquietation1461
conturbationc1470
unheart's-ease1470
distroubling1487
wanease15..
inquietness?1504
unrufe1508
sturt1513
pertroublancea1522
inquieting1527
unquieting1548
turmoiling1550
unquiet1551
agitation?1555
storm1569
wanrest1570
discountenance1577
float1579
disquiet1581
brangling1584
diseasefulnessa1586
restlessness1597
hurry1600
disturbancy1603
disquietment1606
disordera1616
laruma1616
uneasinessa1616
diseasementa1617
discomposture1622
discomposition1624
whirr1628
discomposednessa1631
discomposure1632
pother1638
incomposedness1653
inquietude1658
uneasefulness1661
toss1666
disquietednessa1680
intranquillitya1699
disquietude1709
bosom-broil1742
discomfort1779
rufflement1806
feeze1825
uncomfortableness1828
discomforture1832
astasia1839
dysphoria1842
purr1842
peacelessness1852
palaver1899
perturbment1901
heebie-jeebies1923
wahala1966
agita1979
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xx Ascirped mid þære styringe hire agenre frecennesse [L. ipsius adversitatis exercitatione prudentem].
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxi Ðara unstillena gesceafta styring ne mæg no weorðan gestilled.
c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 318 Momentum, þæt ys styrung.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 23678 Sun and mone and stern and lift, þat ai wit stiring ar nu scift,..fra þat time stil sal þai stand.
c1400 Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 66 Þe seconde partye [of Astronomye] ys of þe qualyte & of þe manere to knowe þe sterynge of þe firmament.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Great 76 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 99 Quhow his master be his slicht had rewit hym steringe & mycht.
?1527 Iudycyall of Vryns ii. vii. 30 Pulmo the lunges is a membre softe and tendre..hauynge..ii. meuynges, yt is to say, .ii. maner of sterynges.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 744 The sterne that with little locall stirring guideth so many Ships.
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge Contents Bearing is neither rest nor stirring, but the keeper or spring of stirring.
2. † c. figurative. Change, alteration, variation. Obsolete.
a. A beginning to move; a slight or momentary movement; (with negative) any or the least movement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > [noun] > a movement
charec1325
stirring1340
mudge1808
move1827
jee1829
shift1831
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience i. 822 His [sc. a dying man's] pouce es stille, with-outen styringes.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 24 Þat it be noȝt hurt þruȝ..sodayn styrryng of þe pacient wiþ þe poynt of þe rasour or of þe launcette.
c1480 (a1400) St. Placidus 134 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 73 He..lay stil..but steryng of fut ore hand.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxv They made no stirryng, nor once shewed them selfe in sight.
1805 W. Wordsworth Fidelity 6 He..searches with his eyes..And now at distance can discern A stirring in a brake of fern.
1871 E. F. Burr Ad Fidem xvi. 349 Subtle stirrings of the air, that show the coming cyclone.
1909 H. Newbolt New June lxvii The spark..was but smouldering and creeping... The first stirring of the flame was close at hand.
b. The action of leaving one's place, or of going out of doors.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > from one's place or house
stirring1698
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 76 Here being no stirring out to Sea, or travelling in the Country.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 10 Jan. (1948) I. 162 He had no thoughts of stirring till Summer.
1755 Elisa Young in A. Young's Autobiog. (1898) 15 We have had so much rain lately that there has been no stirring.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > [noun]
wendingeOE
changing?c1225
stirringa1240
wrixlinga1240
changec1325
variancec1340
transmutationc1380
varyingc1380
whileness1382
translationc1384
alterationa1398
mutationa1398
removinga1425
revolutiona1425
shiftingc1440
changementc1450
muance1480
commutation1509
altry1527
transition1545
turning1548
novation1549
immutation?c1550
alterance1559
alienation1562
turn?1567
vicissitude1603
refraction1614
fermentationa1661
diabasis1672
parallax1677
motion1678
aliation1775
transience1946
a1240 Ureisun in Old Eng. Hom. I. 189 [Crist] þet is euer ille wiþ-ute truchunge, þet halt euer anon wiþ-ute sturunge.
a1240 Ureisun in Old Eng. Hom. I. 203 Wið-ute sturiunge.
d. figurative. Beginning of action or activity; esp. of mental faculties, intellectual movements, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun]
inchoation1530
stirring1532
energy1585
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer Prol. f. cccxxvv This boke shal be of loue, and the pryme causes of sterynge in that doynge.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 257. ¶9 Those weak Stirrings and Tendencies of the Will.
1873 J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets v. 111 The very earliest stirrings of conscious art in Greece.
1909 Edinb. Rev. July 154 The stirrings of an independent life in the..peoples.
a. Active movement; bodily exercise. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [noun]
movinga1398
stirringa1400
motion?a1425
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > gymnastics > exercise > [noun]
playeOE
stirringa1400
laboura1530
exercisea1533
activity1542
motion1568
gymnastic1598
gymnastics1652
capriccio1665
grind1857
physical drill1873
ekker1891
physical jerks1917
daily dozen1918
workout1923
sexercise1942
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 781 Quat of stamping of stedis & stering of bernes, All dymed þe dale.
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 71 Stirynge before þe mete sterith þe hete of þe stomak.
1560 J. Heywood Fourth Hundred Epygrams x. sig. Avi Great sturryng, small mouyng.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 40v Let him use moderate walkinge or stearing.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §62 Excesse of Meat, Excesse of Drinke, Extraordinary Fasting, Extraordinary Stirring.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 252 Stirring about and trading..had more Pleasure in it..than sitting still.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [noun] > swift horse > swift pace
stirring1477
1477 J. Pympe in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 418 The gentyllest hors in trottyng and steryng that is in Calice.
4. Violent movement, commotion.† c. Disturbance of mind or feelings. Obsolete. rare (rendering Latin motus).
a. In physical sense. ? Obsolete. (In early quots. contextual or lit. from Latin motus.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [noun] > violent
swengOE
stirringc1000
routc1400
whither?a1505
whithering1787
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) viii. 24 Ða wearð mycel styrung [L. motus; c1160 Hatton steriung] geworden on þære sæ.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxiv. 7 Eorþan styrunga [c1160 Hatton eorðe steriunge; L. terræ motus].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. viii. 24 A grete steryng [a1425 L.V. stiring] was maad in the see.
b. Tumult, uproar; political disturbance, sedition; insurrection. Obsolete or merged in other senses.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > political unrest > [noun]
stirringa1154
motiona1387
troublec1435
misrule1442
commotion1471
stir1487
misgovernment1565
welteringa1586
confusions1599
distemper1605
distemperature?1606
convulsion1643
unsettlement1649
upturning1846
upturn1864
the natives are restless1950
a1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 975 & com þa on þam eaftran geare swiðe mycel hungor, & swyðe mænigfealde styrunga geond Angel cyn.
1415 in 43rd Ann. Rep. Deputy Keeper Public Rec. (1882) App. i. 590 in Parl. Papers (C. 3425) XXXVI. 1 A gret stiring of Lolardis.
?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. *Fiiiv A newe styrrynge began in the Northe contrey.
1665 in C. H. Firth Clarke Papers (1899) III. 28 There is noe stirring in Wales, nor any in armes that wee know of except these in Dorsetshire.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Stirrings, a bustle, a commotion.]
ΚΠ
a1400 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 256 Wiþ weopinge we comen, Wiþ weopinge we passun. Wiþ steriinge we byginnen, Wiþ steriinge we enden.
5. † b. Shaking (of the head). Obsolete. rare.
a. The action of setting in motion, agitation. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > [noun] > making movable or setting in motion
stirringc1000
mobilization1890
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) v. 4 Æfter þæs wæteres styrunge.
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 52 Almost any Ventilation and stirring of the Air doth refrigerate.
1712 M. Henry Daily Commun. God (1822) 328 The sick and sore in Bethesda's pool waited for the stirring of the water.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > [noun] > shaking > of the head
stirring?c1225
headbanging1886
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 142 Hare heaued sturunge [a1250 Titus schakinge] on him.
a1300 E.E. Psalter xliii. [xliv.] 15 Þou set us..Stiringe of heved [L. commotionem capitis] in folke to be.
a1325 Prose Psalter Stirieng of heued.
6. Agitation with the hand or an implement so as to shift or mix the parts:
a. of a liquid, of coals, etc.: see stir v. 3a, 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [noun] > stirring so as to move the parts of something
stirringa1398
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being mixed or blended > [noun] > action or fact of mixing > by stirring
stirringa1398
stir1818
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. cxxviii. 1378 Lebes is a vessel of bras to seþe fleisch þerinne, and takeþ blaknesse of ofte brennynge, and vnclennesse, and nedeþ þerfore ofte styrynge and wypynge.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Patouil,..a making foule by much sturring.
1640 T. Brugis Marrow of Physicke ii. 151 Boyle it with stirring.
1782 J. Brown Compend. View Nat. & Revealed Relig. iii. ii. 238 The stirring of a wasps' nest makes them rage and sting the more.
b. of soil; spec. a second ploughing (see stir v. 3c); also concrete land that has just been ‘stirred’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > [noun] > stirring up of soil
stirring?1523
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > second ploughing or reploughing
stirring?1523
twifallow1573
reploughing1655
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 582/27 Febrimacio, sturrynge of londe.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xi Yf it be layed vpon the sturringe, at euery plowynge it shall meddle the donge and the yerthe togyder.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 21v Through many stirringes, your Fallowe is brought to so fine a moulde, as it shall neede very little or no harrowing at all when you sowe it.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 239 Some short time before the second tilth, which they call stirring.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Fallow-Ground Fallowing is the first Ploughing for Barley, as Stirring is the second, and Sowing the third.
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 9 In cross-ploughing or stirring, they [sc. the coulters] may be set three-fourths of an inch towards the land.
1865 Chamb. Encycl. VI. 347/2 Hoeing or other stirring of the soil is beneficial.
7.
a. The action of rousing or exciting to activity or emotion; incitement, instigation, provocation; †prompting, suggestion, inducement, persuasion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation
puttingOE
sleatinga1122
eggingc1200
pricking?c1225
enticement1303
movinga1382
eggmentc1386
stirring1399
instinct1412
instigationc1422
motiona1425
provocationa1425
coyingc1440
ertingc1440
tollingc1440
artation1441
incitation1477
instinction1490
inhortationc1503
stimulation1526
abetment1533
onsetting1541
provokement?1545
incitament1579
stirring?c1580
irritation1589
incitement1594
spurring1611
to give foment to1613
fomenting1615
prompturea1616
proritation1615
urgea1618
exstimulation1626
fomentation1633
instinctment1661
spurning1672
impulsing1885
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > bringing into action > rousing to activity
stirring1530
rousing?a1563
stirring?c1580
shake-up1847
shaking1866
1399 Rolls of Parl. III. 452/1 By waye of counseill and styryng.
1420–2 J. Lydgate Siege Thebes i. 235 Thorgh his styring, and exortacioun With hym they went.
1507 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1903) I. 271 They wold haue it sold & so by thair assentes & steringes it was sold for xx li.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 276/2 Styrryng to angre, irritation.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 124 The cause of this warre..was made by the styryng of a Frenche man.
1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 155 What convenience is there for debate in a crowd, where there is nothing but jostling, treading upon one another, and stirring of blood?
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed x. 205 He..remembered to stir Bessie, who needed very little stirring, into a tremendous rage.
b. Also with up: cf. stir v. Phrasal verbs d, 1e.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation
puttingOE
sleatinga1122
eggingc1200
pricking?c1225
enticement1303
movinga1382
eggmentc1386
stirring1399
instinct1412
instigationc1422
motiona1425
provocationa1425
coyingc1440
ertingc1440
tollingc1440
artation1441
incitation1477
instinction1490
inhortationc1503
stimulation1526
abetment1533
onsetting1541
provokement?1545
incitament1579
stirring?c1580
irritation1589
incitement1594
spurring1611
to give foment to1613
fomenting1615
prompturea1616
proritation1615
urgea1618
exstimulation1626
fomentation1633
instinctment1661
spurning1672
impulsing1885
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > bringing into action > rousing to activity
stirring1530
rousing?a1563
stirring?c1580
shake-up1847
shaking1866
?c1580 (title) The Fift Epistle: a stirring~vp of the Heart to the Humiliation or Following of Jesus.
1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) i. sig. H4v In matter of exhortation or stirring vp to well dooing.
1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin x. 155 Warnings, calls, excitations, or stirrings up.
1857 J. D. Borthwick Three Years in Calif. ii. 42 He was such a dreadfully crabbed old rascal that I thought the stirring-up he got was quite necessary to keep him sweet.
1914 Evening Standard 10 Nov. 6 Yesterday London got just what it wanted—a stirring up.
8. † b. An affection of the mind, an emotion. Obsolete.
a. Inward prompting, suggestion, or incitement; impulse; in later use, inward movement of feeling or desire (cf. 2d).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > prompting of
stirring?c1225
motionc1390
puncture?a1425
movementc1485
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 217 Eadi is..to brekeð..þe earste sturunges. hwen þe flesch ariseð.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ii. 10 Wickid sterynge of pride ire enuye couaitis iolifte and oþer vices.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 67 Oft he [a judge] folowiþ his steringis [L. suae voluntatis motus..sequitur], & not þe meritis of causis.
a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover iii. i. 82 in 3 New Playes (1655) I..begin To feel new stirrings, gallant thoughts.
1742 J. Wesley Princ. Methodist 29 He has Power over all the Stirrings and Motions of Sin, but not a total Freedom from them.
1866 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire (new ed.) iv. 46 The lofty..mind of Charles was not free from the stirrings of personal ambition.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 65 I Begin to feel a stirring in my veins, As if I must be off into the woods.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > [noun] > an emotion
affection?c1225
passiona1250
motionc1390
feelinga1413
feelc1485
motivec1485
stirring1552
emotive1596
emotion1602
resentment1622
sentiment1652
sensation1674
flavour1699
aftertaste1702
pathy1837
1552 T. Wilson Rule of Reason (rev. ed.) sig. Dv There be .iiij. stirringes [1551, perturbacions] principall..in..the mynd... Libido, seu cupiditas. Lust or desire. Leticia. Mirthe. Egritudo. Grief. Metus. Feare.
Compounds
C1. General attributive. In sense 5a (‘used for stirring’).
stirring-apparatus n.
ΚΠ
1877 R. W. Raymond Statistics Mines & Mining 399 A convenient stirring-apparatus consists of two oblique blades fixed to the base of a vertical shaft.
stirring-bar n.
ΚΠ
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1025 The mixture is agitated..by hand with the stirring-bar.
stirring-buddle n.
ΚΠ
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 751 The stirring buddle, or chest for freeing the schlamms or slimy stuff from clay.
stirring-rod n.
ΚΠ
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1264 The capital should be provided with a stuffing-box, through which a stirring-rod may pass down to the bottom of the still.
1895 Catal. Surg. Instruments (Arnold & Sons) 328 Stirring-rod.
stirring-spoon n.
ΚΠ
1915 Tremearne Bori Beliefs in Jrnl. Royal Anthropol. Inst. 45 34 Making a porridge of flour, and then scraping it off from the stirring-spoon with her fingers.
C2. In sense 5b (‘for stirring’).
stirring-time n.
ΚΠ
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xv The wedes shal take such rote or sturring tyme come, that they wyll nat be clene turned vnderneth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
stirringadj.
That stirs, in various senses of the verb.
1. † b. figurative. Changeful, unstable, inconstant. Obsolete. (Cf. the quot. c1540 from the same poem under sense 2.)
a. Moving; that is in motion, or capable of motion; moving about or along; moving lightly or tremulously.In quot. c1440, loose, not fixed; in quot. 1597 transferred moving from one note to another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > [adjective] > moving
stirringc950
movablea1382
swayingc1400
moving?a1425
shifting1479
mobile1490
unquiet1539
movent1644
impacifica1657
traversing1785
unstationary1832
unsettled1845
shifty1884
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. Introd. 6 Trewum styrendum vel cerrendum.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 478 Yf y kan See owghwhere any stiryng man.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xv. 162 Thei be not sterynge ne mevable.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. ii. 141 Stiryng stonys [L. mobiles lapides] Commyxt with mold.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 81 If your descant should be stirring in any place, it should bee in the note before the close.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Grouillis, a stirring heape of wormes, or other vermine.
a1821 J. Keats Ode on Indolence in Life, Lett. & Literary Remains (1848) II. 278 A lawn besprinkled o'er With flowers, and stirring shades.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective]
slidinga900
wankleeOE
windyc1000
unsteadfastc1200
fleeting?c1225
loose?c1225
brotelc1315
unstablec1340
varyingc1340
variantc1374
motleyc1380
ungroundedc1380
muablea1393
passiblea1393
remuablea1393
changeablea1398
movablea1398
variablec1397
slidderya1400
ticklec1400
variantc1412
flitting1413
mutable?a1425
movingc1425
flaskisable1430
flickering1430
transmutablec1430
vertible1447
brittlea1450
ficklea1450
permutablec1450
unfirmc1450
uncertain1477
turnable1483
unsteadfast1483
vagrantc1522
inconstant1526
alterable?1531
stirringc1540
slippery1548
various1552
slid?1553
mutala1561
rolling1561
weathery1563
unconstant1568
interchangeable1574
fluctuant1575
stayless1575
transitive1575
voluble1575
changeling1577
queasy1579
desultory1581
huff-puff1582
unstaid1586
vagrant1586
changeful1590
floating1594
Protean1594
unstayed1594
swimming1596
anchorless1597
mobilec1600
ticklish1601
catching1603
labile1603
unrooted1604
quicksilvered1605
versatile1605
insubstantial1607
uncertain1609
brandling1611
rootless1611
squeasy1611
wind-changinga1616
insolid1618
ambulatory1625
versatilous1629
plastic1633
desultorious1637
unbottomed1641
fluid1642
fluent1648
yea-and-nay1648
versipellous1650
flexile1651
uncentred1652
variating1653
chequered1656
slideable1662
transchangeative1662
weathercock-like1663
flicketing1674
fluxa1677
lapsable1678
wanton1681
veering1684
upon the weathercock1702
contingent1703
unsettled?1726
fermentable1731
afloat1757
brickle1768
wavy1795
vagarious1798
unsettled1803
fitful1810
metamorphosical1811
undulating1815
tittupya1817
titubant1817
mutative1818
papier mâché1818
teetotum1819
vacillating1822
capricious1823
sensitive1828
quicksilvery1829
unengrafted1829
fluxionala1834
proteiform1833
liquid1835
tottlish1835
kaleidoscopic1846
versative1846
kaleidoscopical1858
tottery1861
choppy1865
variative1874
variational1879
wimbly-wambly1881
fluctuable1882
shifty1882
giveable1884
shifty1884
tippy1886
mutatory1890
upsettable1890
rocky1897
undulatory1897
streaky1898
tottly1905
tipply1906
up and down1907
inertialess1927
sometimey1946
rise-and-fall1950
switchable1961
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8057 Hit is a propertie..To all wemen..To be vnstable & not stidfast, styrond of wille.
2. † b. stirring horse n. a courser. Cf. stirrer n. 3b, stirring n. 3b.
a. Moving briskly, active, lively, agile; energetic in action; actively occupied, busy, bustling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active
sprindeOE
whata1000
braga1350
prestc1390
yarea1400
stirringc1400
startingc1440
actious1441
actuala1470
activea1522
queemc1540
skeetc1540
lively1567
alive-like1582
pragmatical1590
spruce1590
agilious1599
brisk1599
sprightly?c1599
brisky1600
alives-like1601
alacrious1602
smart1602
eyebright1603
whisking1611
deedy1615
vibrant1616
sprunt1631
perking1653
alert1654
exilient1654
alacrative1657
eveillé1676
budge1691
jaunty1705
spry1746
sprack1747
alive1748
high-geared1795
rash1805
spicy1828
live1830
deedful1834
yary1855
sprucy1858
alacritous1859
sprackish1882
brash1884
up-and-coming1889
up and doing1901
loose1907
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed1936
buzzy1978
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active > bustling or fussing
stirringc1400
bustling1582
notable1719
scrimmaging1843
steerie1866
spuffling1893
squirrelly1928
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 104 Swyft and stirrand as goote.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3833 A stythe man of his stature, stirond of wille, Menyt [? read Meuyt] hym to mony thinges, & of mynde gode.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 16 Such a mery nimble stiring spirit. View more context for this quotation
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxx. sig. N8v Naturall heate does more actuate the stirring Genius of Man.
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 263 Watch [was] set upon her, lest she being a stirring woman, should raise a tumult.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 180. ⁋1 He..wanted a stirring Man to take upon him his Affairs.
1845 J. Coulter Adventures Pacific xvii. 280 The missionaries, or stirring mercantile people, whose professions kept them moving quickly about.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 182 No man could be a stirring and thriving politician who was not prepared to change with every change of fortune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > used in war or charger
courserc1300
destrierc1300
high horsec1380
courierc1400
light horse?1473
stirring horse1477
horse of service1577
warhorse1586
trooper1640
dragooner1642
charging-horse1695
troop-gelding1702
charger1762
war-steed1776
troop-horse1859
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > used in tournament or jousting
courserc1300
jouster13..
steed corourc1300
high horsec1380
great horse1462
stirring horse1477
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [noun] > swift horse
courserc1300
stirring horse1477
runnera1500
stirrer1570
spanker1814
ganger1817
ginger1825
clipper1836
traveller1889
speeler1893
pelter1899
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [adjective] > swift
raking?a1475
stirring horse1477
fire hoofed1621
fire-footeda1734
spanking1740
brushing1792
fast-gaited1841
1477 J. Pympe in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 415 That he be well trottyng of his owne corage wyth-owte force of sporis, and also a steryng hors.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xi. 129 Mony ane sturdy sterand steid.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bv On ane sterand steid that sternly will stert.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Sternax, a steerynge or ploungynge horse.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. liii I omit farther, the costly apparel..the massy cheynes, the stirrynge horsses.
1551–2 King Edward VI Jrnl. (Roxb.) 392 Tou genettes, a sturring horse, and tow litle moyles.
1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 76 Hench men twaine, vpon great stirring horses following him.
1614 B. Rich Honestie of Age (1615) 28 Fitter to ryde in a Curtizans Coach vp and downe the streets, then to bestride a stirring Horse in the Field.
c. Characterized by or full of stir or activity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active > full of brisk activity (of times or places)
quickc1395
busy1530
stirring1647
vital1742
lively1764
busyish1851
buzzing1882
mouvementé1888
bubbling1912
1647 Boyle in Birch Life (1744) 76 Qualities, that in this stirring and necessitous age..make very unfrequent matches in the self-same person.
1800 W. Wordsworth Michael 81 She was a woman of a stirring life, Whose heart was in her house.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. ix. 484 The stirring market town of Brixham.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. viii. vii. 341 You come from London? Stirring times for you English.
1873 J. O. Brookfield Not a Heroine I. 32 I want a more stirring occupation.
3. That excites or incites.† a. Physically stimulating, stimulant. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > stimulating
stirring1609
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 106 Sele him oft styrgendne drenc.
1609 T. Dekker Guls Horne-bk. sig. F1v Capon is a stirring meate sometime.
b. Inciting to action, or inducing emotion; rousing, stimulating, animating, inspiriting; exciting, moving, thrilling.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > exciting > [adjective]
stirring1421
excitative1490
rousing1576
animating1595
excitant1608
exciteful?1615
spirit-stirringa1616
spiritous1624
excitatinga1643
exagitating1646
fermentive1656
awakening1694
electrifying1746
upstirring1751
electrical1760
thrilling1768
excitive1774
proceleusmatic1775
electric1789
inspiriting1796
fermentitious1807
exciting1811
red-hot1835
hair-raising1838
suscitating1840
arousing1841
sizzling1845
zesty1853
excitory1861
throbbing1864
buzzing1882
ding-dong1887
thrillful1887
stir-up1890
large1895
thrilly1896
high voltage1909
voltaic1920
sizzly1936
Boy's Own1967
hot shit1967
crunk1995
the mind > will > motivation > [adjective] > inciting or instigating
stirring1421
movingc1443
provokingc1443
incitative1490
urgent1559
propulsory1585
pricking1592
pulsive1602
incentive1603
incitatory1610
urging1612
animalizing1617
impellent1620
irritant1636
instigative1644
propulsive1648
promptive1653
parastatic1656
exstimulatory1657
impulsory1659
appelling1666
irritative1686
instigating1702
spurring1702
stimulatinga1732
stimulatory1758
impulsive1788
stimulant1803
stimulative1836
exertivea1856
inciting1855
incitant1886
incitive1888
on-driving1927
incitory1941
1421 T. Hoccleve Min. Poems xxiii. 519 But thogh thy wordes sharpe & stirynge seeme, To many a man profyten they but lyte.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 325/2 Steryng or provokyng to do a thyng, incitatif.
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith xxii. 255 If God should withdraw his stirring and prædeterminating influence.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxvi. 446 Cheerful and stirring music.
1888 J. W. Burgon Lives Twelve Good Men II. vi. 77 Lives..without stirring incidents.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2020).
<
n.c888
adj.c950- to have a mike
- to have a mind
- to have a mind above buttons
- to have a mind of one's own
- to have a miss of
- to have a moan
- to have a moment
- to have a monk on
- to have a monkey on
- to have a monkey on one's back
- to have a month's mind
- to have a moody
- to have a nap
- to have a neck
- to have a neck to
- to have a nerve
- to have a night of it
- to have a night on it
- to have a on wield
- to have a pash for
- to have a pash on
- to have a pee
- to have a peek
- to have a penny before one
- to have a person at advantage