[f. WOOLLY a. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being woolly, in various senses; also concr. a woolly substance.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, II. cclix. 634. Leaues … like vnto those of Hygtaper, but far whiter, softer, thicker, & fuller of woollinesse, which wooll is so long, that one may with his fingers pull the same from the leaues.
1721. Mortimer, Husb., II. 210. The Seed with its Woolliness, beginning a little to rise of its self at the lower-end of the Head.
1785. Martyn, Lett. Bot., xiii. (1794), 142. The woollyness of the flowers in the Reed.
1824. Examiner, 307/2. Mr. Fielding’s execution is … soft without woolliness.
1856. Mem. W. Yarrell, p. xvii. He [sc. Yarrell] said that though pretty well he felt a ‘wooliness’ in the brain.
1859. Gullick & Timbs, Painting, 198. A ‘muzzy,’ feeble, unpleasant appearance,… technically called ‘woolliness.’
1862. M. Hopkins, Hawaii, 344. The hair is black and waving…. Its curl is perfectly free from the woolliness of the African.
1883. Hardwich’s Phot. Chem. (ed. 9), 152. In attempting to coat a large plate, a wavy appearance, often known as woolliness of the film, is seen at the lower corner.
1883. Miss Broughton, Belinda, IV. v. That state of numb woolliness to which yesterday a less portion of labour had brought her.
1894. H. O. Forbes, Primates, I. 20. The woolliness of their under-fur.
