[f. BUXOM a. (which see for Forms); see -NESS.]
† 1. Obedience, submissiveness; lowliness, humility. Obs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 73. Bi-spreng me lauerd mid buhsumnesse.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 41. Þu schalt … teamen … Simplete of semblaunt and buhsumnesse and stilðe.
1297. R. Glouc., 318. He bygan ys herte in bocsumnesse amende.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25135. We sall … knaw with bowsumnes Þat no gude dede of oure self es.
a. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 7848. Þare es lowtyng and reverence, And boghsomnes and obedience [in heaven].
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 111. He brak Boxumnes þorw bost of him-seluen.
a. 1420. Occleve, De Reg. Princ., 3575. God toke upone hym humble buxomnesse.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Buxomnesse, plyablenesse, or humble stooping, in signe of obedience.
1678. A. Littleton, Lat. Dict., s.v., Buxomness or meekness, obsequium.
1721. in Bailey.
† 2. Graciousness, kindly disposition; courtesy, complaisance. Obs.
14[?]. Gold. Litany, in Maskell, Mon. Rit., II. 245. By thy infinite buxomnes: haue mercy on vs.
1483. Cath. Angl., 50. A Buxumnes, clemencia.
1502. Arnolde, Chron., 162. Moost blessed fader Primate … whom Almighty God by hys ineffable buxumnes … hath creat and erecte.
1577. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., in Holinshed, VI. 22. You should never marke him or his bedfellow (such was their buxomnesse) … once make a sowre face at anie ghest.
3. Blitheness, gaiety. arch.
1598. Florio, Gaiezza … blithnes, iolitie, buckesomnes.
1620. Shelton, Quix., IV. xix. 159. The Beauty, Spirit and Bucksomeness of the wench mislik’d him not.
1814. Cary, Dante (1871), 317. In him are summed, Whate’er of buxomness and free delight May be in spirit.
4. modern. Comely plumpness.
1875. Besant & Rice, Harp & Crown, II. viii. 196. She is fat, she is fair … she has still many summers of buxomness before her.
