hefting

There was the usual lingering hesitation which is apt to attend the taking-up of any regular or monotonous performance, shown in this instance in the prolonged scrutiny of a pick's point, the solemn selection of a shovel, or the "hefting" or weighing of a tapping-iron or drill.

Openings in the Old Trail Bret Harte 1869

"hefting" and sometimes weighing of birds on the barn scales.

A Busy Year at the Old Squire's 1887

"'Well, Ben,' says Sam, kind of hefting his sword out from between his knees, 'as your superior officer I could court-martial you for attempted cowardice and desertion.

Options O. Henry 1886

"I'll never own a Kindle," she said, hefting a copy of Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco from her purse.

Women 2.0: Geek Girls Unite! Women 2.0 2011

So it's no problem carrying their luggage and hefting it into the trunk.

Gillian Clark: They're Only Happy When It Rains Gillian Clark 2011

And I'm knackered after three days of hefting and shlepping and sorting and shifting.

Off to the USA! karenmiller 2010

He flipped out the inner circle and, hefting the lance, feinted at the ocean.

The One Handed Rower of Myonnesus « A Fly in Amber 2009

"I'll never own a Kindle," she said, hefting a copy of Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco from her purse.

Women 2.0: Geek Girls Unite! Women 2.0 2011

“Yup,” said the surgeon, hefting them, “We can get rid of about 5-6 pounds there.”

Requiem For A Boob | Her Bad Mother 2009

So it's no problem carrying their luggage and hefting it into the trunk.

Gillian Clark: They're Only Happy When It Rains Gillian Clark 2011