† impatiency Obs. (or rare archaism.)
(ɪmˈpeɪʃənsɪ)
Also 6 -ciency, -cyency, 7 -tientie.
[ad. L. impatientia: see prec. and -ency.]
The quality of being impatient.
1. = prec. 1: esp. as a quality or disposition. Also, with pl., an instance or exhibition of this quality.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 93 b, Testinesse or impacyency, is a frayle & hasty disposycyon, or rather accustomed & vsed vyce of angre. 1552 Latimer Serm. Lord's Prayer vii. (1562) 45 He [the devil] goeth about..to..sturre vs to impatiency and murmuryng against god. 1658 Whole Duty Man vi. §16. 57 A calmness and quietness of spirit, contrary to the rages and impatiencies of anger. 1748 Richardson Clarissa I. v. 35 His extraordinary prosperity adding to his impatiency. |
b. With of: cf. prec. 1 b.
| 1557 T. Phaer æneid vi. Argt., Those that through impaciencie of loue, had shortned their owne dayes. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 165 Their impatiency of cold. 1681 H. More Exp. Dan. 273 Their impatiency of that dark inglorious condition. |
2. = prec. 2: esp. as a quality or disposition; also, with pl., an instance of this.
| 1560 Becon New Catech. Wks. 1844 II. 143 Nothing doth more displease and offend God, than through impatiency to prescribe unto him the time when he shall help us. 1654–66 Earl of Orrery Parthenissa (1676) 764 In impatiencies above description [I] waited for the arrival of the Princess. 1664 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 129 Which [explanation] I do expect with the most vehement impatientcy. 1684 Lady R. Russell Lett. (1819) I. xiv. 40, I hope to wait without impatiency. 1889 Stevenson Master of B. 287 My lord waited with growing impatiency. |
b. With inf.: cf. prec. 2 c.
| 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. iii. §250 His Majesty's impatiency to see both Armies disbanded. 1742 Richardson Pamela IV. 10, I had such an Impatiency to see him, having expected him at Dinner. |