Also 5 vertuosenes, 5–6 -uousnes (6 -uouseness), 6–7 -nesse, 6–8 -ness; 6 vertousnes, -usnes, Sc. -eousnes. [f. as prec.]
† 1. The condition of being endowed with inherent virtue or power. Obs.–1
1398. Trevisa, Barth De P. R., VIII. xvi. (1495), v vij b/1. The sonne … hath a vertu of plente [1535 plentiful] vertuousnes for he yeuyth vertu of generacion to thyse nether thynges.
2. The state or condition of being virtuous; virtuous quality or character; moral rectitude; goodness, probity.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. xvii. 96. Thei laborid euere in mekenes for to haue it in greet mesure, whilis thei myȝten haue laborid forto haue had kunnyng of moral vertuosenes.
1528. Roy, Rede me, II. (Arb.), 72. They are slaunder of vertousnes, Occasion vnto viciousnes.
1576. Newton, Lemnie’s Complex. (1633), 39. Behaviour, countenance, rayment,… all smells of vertuousnesse.
1608. L. Machin, Dumbe Knight, III. I know you hate me for my vertuousnesse.
1650. Baxter, Saints’ R., III. xi. (1662), 471. And so their chief Virtuousness lieth in that Will or Love which is contained in them.
1735. Butler, Anal., I. iii. § 4. The pleasure or advantage in this case is gained by the action itself, not by the morality, the virtuousness or viciousness of it.
1754. Edwards, Freed. Will, III. vi. (1762), 178. In order to the Vertuousness of an Act, the Heart must be indifferent in the Time of the Performance of that Act.
1833. Chalmers, Const. Man (1835), I. i. 100. He meddles not with the virtuousness either of humanity or justice.
1865. J. Grote, Moral Ideals, viii. (1876), 117. But that is a very low degree of virtuousness where conscience does no more than guard from wrong action.
1879. H. Spencer, Data of Ethics, iii. 38. Perfection of nature, or virtuousness of action.
† 3. High or worthy character; excellence, merit. Obs.–1
1525. Ld. Berners, trans. Froiss., II. xxvi. 71, heading. Of the great vertuousnesse and largesse that was in therle of Foiz.
