[f. WARY a. + -NESS.] The quality of being wary: cautiousness, circumspection.
1552. Huloet, Warines, solertia, uigilantia.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtier, II. (1900), 114. The discretion and warinesse that count Lewis shewed us yesterday.
1666. Boyle, Orig. Forms & Qual., 258. And having agen made the former Experiment with more wariness then before, we had the like success in our Distillation.
1774. Reynolds, Disc. R. Acad., vi. (1778), 221. He that is forming himself, must look with great caution and wariness on those peculiarities or prominent parts, which at first force themselves upon view.
1821. Lamb, Elia, All Fools’ Day. Prizing their simplicity beyond the … somewhat unfeminine wariness of their competitors, I felt a kindliness … for those five thoughtless virgins.
1871. Darwin, Desc. Man, I. ii. 50. Our domestic dogs are descended from wolves … and though they may not have gained in cunning, and may have lost in waryness and suspicion, yet [etc.].
1893. Lydekker, Horns & Hoofs, 106. They are marvellously shy and wary, this wariness being fully confirmed by Messrs. Danford and Buxton.
