heaviness
(ˈhɛvɪnɪs)
Forms: 1 hefiᵹnes, (hæfiᵹnes, hæfnis), 3–5 heuenes, -nis, -nys, 3–6 hevinesse, 4 Sc. hewynes, 4–6 hevynesse, 5 euynes, 6 hevines, heueneys, Sc. havines, 6–7 heavines(se, 6– heaviness.
[OE. hefiᵹnes: see heavy a. and -ness.]
The state or quality of being heavy: in the various senses of the adj.; esp. a. Weightiness, ponderousness; gravity; weight or force of impact.
| c 1340 Cursor M. 23235 (Fairf.) Is heuenis of dint..Als hit ware dintis of a stiþi Þat smiþþis smitis in þaire smeþi. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 239/1 Hevynesse of wyghte, ponderositas. 1545 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 126 What heuynes doth in a stripe euery man by experience can tell. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa ii. 63 Having..on the one side of their horses a great waight..to counterpoize the heavines of their drums on the other side. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 153 A perpendicular from the centre of heaviness. |
b. Burdensomeness, oppressiveness, severity; † a grievance.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xx. 12 We ða ðe beron hefiᵹnise ðæs dæᵹes & hæto. a 1225 Ancr R. 132 Þe heuinesse of hire flesche & flesches unðeawes binimeð hire hire vluht. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1800 The harmys and þe heuenys hym happit of yow. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 95 The causes and matters of hevinesse, declared in articles. Ibid. 97 There were caste many hevinesses and sedicious billes, under the names of suche laborers. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. lxxiii. 150 b, The heauinesse of my losse beeing such. 1638 Abp. Symson in Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. vi. 2 And only lament the heaviness of his sickness. |
† c. Enraged feeling, displeasure, anger. Obs.
| c 1386 Chaucer Melib. ¶782 He hath swich heuynesse and swich wratthe to vs ward. 1431 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 279 If any man be at heuynesse with any of his bretheryne. 1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) 291 My sayd Lorde of Glouceter bare heuynes vnto my Lorde off Winchester. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI, 98 b, Never..take..querelles, displeasures or hevinesses..one against the other. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. v. 6 The instruments of wrath and heavinesse. |
d. Oppressed condition of the body, members, or senses; torpor, drowsiness; dullness; want of animation.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xxxv. §1 Nan hæfiᵹnes ðæs lichoman, ne nan unþeaw. a 1225 Ancr. R. 270 Ȝif þet tu muhtest wel wakien, he..leið on þe heuinesse. 1382 Wyclif Luke xxii. 45 He fond hem slepinge for heuynesse. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. xviii. (1495) 65 Callyd defnes and..heuynesse of heringe. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 190 b, The dumpishe heavinesse, that proceedeth of Melancholy. 1700 Dryden Sigism. & Guisc. 204 A welcome heaviness That seiz'd his eyes. 1885 Manch. Exam. 18 Feb. 3/3 The terrible dryness and heaviness which make themselves manifest on every page. |
e. Dejectedness of mind; † sadness, grief.
| c 1275 XI Pains of Hell 45 in O.E. Misc. 212 Hou dredful is hel..In þe wyche is heuenes with-out gladnes. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 100 Hire freendes..Conforten hire in al þat euer they may Al for to make hire leue hire heuynesse. c 1440 Generydes 4625 Hir joy was turnyd into hevynes. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 756 He was with great funerall honor and heavynesse of his people..enterred at Windsore. 1610 Shakes. Temp. v. i. 200 Let vs not burthen our remembrances, with A heauinesse that's gon. 1742 Richardson Pamela IV. 215 So much Heaviness had I lost, and so much Joy had I received! 1879 Dixon Windsor II. viii. 92 Richard, in seeming heaviness of heart, broke up his Court. |