[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
1. lit. The condition of being or feeling cool; cool quality or sensation.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. lxv. 11. And ðu us on colnesse clæne ʓelæddest.
1530. Palsgr., 207/1. Colenesse, freschevr.
1575. Laneham, Lett. (1871), 53. The … delectabl coolnes of the foountain.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 386. The Coolness of the Night.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 523. The thunder-shower Fell with refreshing coolness on my head.
1859. Tennyson, Merl. & Viv., 755. Then paced for coolness in the chapel-yard.
2. fig. Freedom from excitement; calmness.
1651. H. More, 2nd Lash of Alazonom., 79. Eugenius, will you venture, in Philosophic Coolness, to say [etc.].
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. I. 5. I wish … my readers may attend me with … coolness.
1805. Capt. Blackwood, in Nicolas, Desp. Nelson (1846), VII. 224. After performing wonders by his example and coolness, Lord Nelson was wounded by a French Sharp-shooter.
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. i. (1865), 3. Old house! there is a charm in thy quiet:—a cessation—a coolness from business … which is delightful.
1874. Green, Short Hist., viii. 526. Only Hampden’s coolness and tact averted a conflict.
3. Want of fervor or enthusiasm; absence of friendly warmth.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VIII. 600. But they having on Sunday, perform’d their mutual Visits to each other, parted with such coolness towards each other, as if they scarce hoped to meet again.
1753. Melmoth, Cicero’s Lett., I. iv. (R). As being unwilling it should appear … that any coolness had arisen between us.
1767. J. Penn, Sleepy Serm., 24. Inattention in hearing the Word of God, generally produces a Coolness for sacred Worship.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, ii. 55. A coolness had sprung up between Pope and Addison.
4. Calm and unabashed assurance.
1751. Johnson, Life of Cheynel, Wks. IV. 516. Who with his usual coolness and modesty, took possession of the lodgings soon after by breaking open the doors.
1863. Mrs. C. Clarke, Shaks. Char., xi. 280. He comes there, and takes possession of the territory with all the coolness of a usurper.
