ˈplain-ˌhearted, a. Now rare.
[f. plain heart (plain a.1) + -ed2.]
Having a sincere and open heart; without deceit or guile; ingenuous, innocent.
| 1608 Dod & Cleaver Expos. Prov. ix-x. 100 Let us learne to bee plaine hearted towards our brethren. 1641 Milton Animadv., Rem. Def. i. Wks. 1738 I. 79 Free-spoken and plain-hearted Men, that are the Eyes of their Country. 1727–46 Thomson Summer 1475 Sincere, plain-hearted, hospitable, kind. |
Hence ˌplain-ˈheartedly adv.; ˌplain-ˈheartedness.
| 1653 D. Osborne Lett. to Sir W. Temple (1888) 149 How I should love that plain-heartedness you speak of, if you would use it. 1691 Hartcliffe Virtues 174 That Simplicity and plain-heartedness, which ought to be in the Conversation of every Christian. 1832 [R. Cattermole] Beckett, etc. 196 And there, with so much graveness as just gives A grace to smiles, plain-heartedly she lives. |