/bee"ting/ , n.
1. the act of a person or thing that beats, as to punish, clean, mix, etc.: Give the rug a good beating.
2. a defeat or reverse; loss; setback: Several stocks took a beating in the market today.
3. pulsation; throbbing: the beating of her heart.
[ 1200-50; ME betynge. See BEAT, -ING 1 ]