refreshing (refreshing)

[Verbal n. of re fresh, v.] Refreshment; that which refreshes; relief after fatigue or suffering. And late vs rest as for a daye or twayne, That your pepill may haue refre hing ; Thanne we wolle geve them batell new ageyn. Generydes (E. E. T. S.), 1. 2991. Secret refresh ings that repair his strength. Milton , S. A., 1. 665. refreshing (re-fresh'ing), p . a . [Ppr. of refresh , v .] Tending or serving to refresh; in vigor at- ing; reviving; reanimating: sometimes used with a humorous or sarcastic implication. Who [Ceres] with thy saffron wings upon my flowers Diff us est honey-drops, refreshing showers. Shak ., Tempest, iv. 1. 79. And one good action in the midst of crimes Is "quite refreshing ," in the affected phrase Of these ambrosial Pharisaic times. Byron , Don Juan, viii. 90. refreshingly (rē-fresh'ing-li), adv . In a refreshing manner; so as to refresh or give new life.