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 ʓymstanas 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.
