n. 1. The act of one who reads; perusal; also, printed or written matter to be read. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Study of books; literary scholarship; as, a man of extensive reading. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A lecture or prelection; public recital. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Jews had their weekly readings of the law. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The way in which anything reads; force of a word or passage presented by a documentary authority; lection; version. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Manner of reciting, or acting a part, on the stage; way of rendering. [ Cant ] [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An observation read from the scale of a graduated instrument; as, the reading of a barometer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reading of a bill (Legislation), its formal recital, by the proper officer, before the House which is to consider it. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to the act of reading; used in reading. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Addicted to reading; as, a reading community. [ 1913 Webster ]

Reading book, a book for teaching reading; a reader. --
Reading desk, a desk to support a book while reading; esp., a desk used while reading the service in a church. --
Reading glass, a large lens with more or less magnifying power, attached to a handle, and used in reading, etc. --
Reading man, one who reads much; hence, in the English universities, a close, industrious student. --
Reading room, a room appropriated to reading; a room provided with papers, periodicals, and the like, to which persons resort. [ 1913 Webster ]