I. ˈrēdiŋ, -dēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English redinge, from Old English rǣding, from rǣdan to read + -ing (suffix forming nouns from verbs)
1.
a. : material designed to be read : matter for reading
chose the reading for the great books course
especially : a particular selection of such material designed to be read at one time or as a unit
readings from contemporary fiction
b.
(1) : the material read (as in a particular field) by an individual
were discriminating in their reading
thought he had seen the word somewhere in his reading
(2) : the extent to which an individual has read
a person of vast reading
2.
a. : the particular form (as a variation in spelling, style, syntax, choice of vocabulary) used in a particular edition or other source of material designed to be read : a particular version
found an interesting reading of the same passage in one of the older manuscripts
the generally accepted reading
b. : an indication of particular data made by an instrument
examined the reading of the thermometer
3.
a. : a particular interpretation of something observed, studied, or experienced
new readings of the history — James Martineau
b. : a particular performance and interpretation of something (as the lines of a play, the score of a musical composition)
a sensitive reading of the principal role
a knowledgeable reading of the symphony
II. adjective
1. : of or relating to reading
a reading list
or readers
formed a small reading group
2.
a. : designed or used for reading
a reading lamp
a reading desk
b. : set aside for reading
a reading room
III. ˈrediŋ, -dēŋ adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: from Reading, county borough in southern England
1. : of or from the county borough of Reading, England : of the kind or style prevalent in Reading
2.
[from Reading, city in southeast Pennsylvania]
: of or from the city of Reading, Pa. : of the kind or style prevalent in Reading