Definition, synonyms and related words
A meadow, especially a low meadow near a river; water meadow.
"In my first year of learning Pitman shorthand, I struggled to master the correct stroke for ing because it requires a distinct curve that differs from other consonant combinations."
The letter for the ng sound /ŋ/ in Pitman shorthand.
In plain English: An ing is an old-fashioned word for a small piece of land, usually used in place names.
"The doctor told him to take his medication with plenty of water and food, but he forgot that taking the pill on an empty stomach would cause severe ing."
Usage: The term "ing" as a standalone noun specifically refers to the symbol used for the /ŋ/ sound in Pitman shorthand and should not be confused with the common suffix added to verbs. Use this word only when discussing shorthand notation systems, not in general writing or speech.
The suffix "ing" comes from Old English words meaning a meadow or a curved piece of land. It traveled into modern usage to form nouns and verbs indicating participation, location, or process.