† ˈdrunkness Obs.
Also 2–5 drunkenesse.
[Early ME. druncenesse, for druncennesse: the e of the second syllable becoming at length mute.]
= drunkenness.
| c 1160 Hatton Gosp. Luke xxi. 34 Mid druncenesse. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 33 Ȝe nulleð forleten..ȝifernesse and druncnesse. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶748 Dronkenesse that is the horrible sepulture of mannes reson. 1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. ii. xvi, Over come by sykenes or by dronknes. 1655 H. Vaughan Silex Scint., Check iv. (1858) 85 He bids beware of drunknes, surfeits, care. 1701 De Foe True-born Eng. ii. 100 Drunk'ness has been the Darling of the Realm, E'er since a Drunken Pilot had the Helm. |