laudable, a.
(ˈlɔːdəb(ə)l)
Also 6 laudabul, lawd(e)able, 6–7 laudible.
[ad. L. laudābilis, f. laudāre: see laud v. and -able.]
1. Of immaterial things, actions, etc.: Praiseworthy, commendable. † Also, in early use, of the nature of praise, laudatory.
| c 1420 Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.) 1359 And dred þus laudable wordus more in hure þouȝt. 1479 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 413 The..laudable custumes foresaide. 1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 4 After the lawdeable custome used in tyme of his moste noble progenytours. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 53 The laudable sciences of phisick and surgerie. 1605 Shakes. Macb. iv. ii. 76 This earthly world: where to do harme Is often laudable. c 1610 Women Saints 178 When his precious ashes and laudable corps was caried to the martyrs seate. 1670 Walton Lives iv. 278 A laudible ambition to be some⁓thing more than he then was. 1710 Steele Tatler No. 180 ¶6 In the Sight of Reason, nothing is laudable but what is guided by Reason. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. III. liv. 165 His conduct..was innocent, and even laudable. 1791 Gentl. Mag. 1/2 A wish that so laudable an institution may be more generally known. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 74 Using scandalous means for the purpose of obtaining a laudable end. 1879 M. E. Braddon Clov. Foot III. 269 He carried out this resolve with laudable firmness. 1886 Ruskin Præterita I. 398 Laudable curiosity. |
† b. Of testimony: Trustworthy. Obs.
| 1664 Evelyn Sylva 84 Upon laudable and unsuspected Record. |
2. Of material objects and physical conditions: Of satisfactory nature, quality, or operation; healthy, sound, wholesome. Now only Med. of secretions, esp. pus (see quots.).
| 1514 Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) 4 The somer season men counteth now laudable. c 1550 Lloyd Treas. Health (1585) b ij, A bloudy fluxe, an hidropsy or madnesse after a frenesy, are laudable. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 464 The sheep of the Isle Chius are very small, and yet their milk maketh very laudable cheese. 1634 R. H. Salernes Regim. 27 Kids flesh is better and more laudable then any other flesh. 1675 Evelyn Terra (1676) 127 It may be a laudable Compost for moist grounds. 1669 Boyle Contn. New Exp. ii. (1682) 185, I found the Apple of a laudable colour. c 1720 Gibson Farrier's Guide ii. liii. (1738) 207 To promote a laudable growth of flesh. 1725 N. Robinson Theory Physick 269 If after the third Day a laudable Expectoration does not appear..then [etc.]. 1794–6 E. Darwin Zoon. (1801) I. 501 Ulcers which are said to abound with laudable pus. 1829 Health & Longevity 229 Easier and sooner reduced to laudable chyle. 1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 19 When thick and creamy, it is known as healthy or laudable pus. |
3. n. in pl. a. Laudable qualities, good points. b. Persons of title, dignities. Obs. or nonce-uses.
| 1715 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. 321 To do Justice, even to ones Enemy's Laudables. 1815 Q. Rev. XIV. 135 The number of these Laudables, including Dukes [etc.]. |
Hence ˈlaudableness.
| 1695 J. Edwards Perfect. Script. 423 He asserts the truth of his doctrine, and the laudableness of his actions. 1730–6 in Bailey (fol.). 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 243 We shall..look upon the laudableness of an action as a certain evidence of its usefulness. |