/may"king/ , n.
1. the act of a person or thing that makes: The making of a violin requires great skill.
2. structure; constitution; makeup.
3. the means or cause of success or advancement: to be the making of someone.
4. Usually, makings . capacity or potential: He has the makings of a first-rate officer.
5. makings ,
a. material of which something may be made: the makings for a tossed salad.
b. Older Slang. paper and tobacco with which to make a hand-rolled cigarette.
6. something made.
7. the quantity made: a making of butter.
8. in the making , in the process of being made; developing or evolving; growing: Our space scientists see history in the making.
[ bef. 1150; ME; OE macung. See MAKE 1 , -ING 1 ]