† ˈwokeness Obs.
[OE. wácnes, f. wác woke a.: see -ness.]
1. Weakness, debility; (in OE. also) lowliness, inferiority.
| c 1000 ælfric Hom. I. 68 Hi bædon ðæt ða ᵹymstanas awendon to heora wacnysse. a 1100 Aldhelm Gloss. i. 1384 (Napier 37) Uilitas, abiectio, wacnys. c 1200 Vices & Virtues 83 Þu hafdest me imaked glad and bliðe; ac ich hes haue forloren for mine wocnesse. a 1225 Ancr. R. 232 Þet we iknowen ure owune feblesce & ure owune muchele unstrencðe, & ure owune wocnesse. a 1240 Wohunge in O.E. Hom. I. 273 And te strengðe of þe helpe mi muchele wacnesse. 1547 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 258 The debilitie and wakenes of my bodie. |
2. Moisture. (Cf. wakness s.v. wak.)
| 1340 Ayenb. 95 Guod molde, wocnesse norissynde, and renable hete. |