1. The act of one who reads; perusal; also, printed or written matter to be read. 2. Study of books; literary scholarship; as, a man of extensive reading. 3. A lecture or prelection; public recital. The Jews had their weekly readings of the law. Hooker. 4. The way in which anything reads; force of a word or passage presented by a documentary authority; lection; version. 5. Manner...