Obs. [f. as prec. + -NESS.] a. Wretchedness, misery. b. Baseness.

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1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. X. 255. The cause of al þys caitifte [v.r. caiteefnes] comeþ of meny bisshopes.

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c. 1400.  Judicium (1822), 13. The day is comen of catyfnes.

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1481.  Caxton, Myrr., III. xxiii. 187. [In heuen] shal neuer be ony doubtaunce … of caytifnes ne of ony trybulacion.

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1649.  Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., I. vi. 103. A strange caitivenesse and basenesse of disposition.

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