[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality of being faithful. a. Fidelity, loyalty (to a superior or friend); trustworthiness, conscientiousness. b. Strict adherence to one’s pledged word; honesty, sincerity. c. Exact correspondence to an original or to fact.
1388. Wyclif, Esther vi. 3 What … meede gat Mardochee for this feithfulnesse?
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Her., A v a. Cherefull to faythfulnes.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lxxxii. 253. Grete petye it shalbe yf ye sholde dye for your trouth and faythfulnes.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 19. The onely seruiceable Courtier without flattery, the beast of most beutie, faithfulnes, courage, and such more, that if I had not beene a peece of a Logician before I came to him, I think he would haue perswaded mee to haue wished my selfe a horse.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., II. vi. § 12. The truth and faithfulness of God.
1688. South, Serm. (1704), I. xii. 517. The Band that knits together and supports all Compacts, is Truth and Faithfulness.
1700. Burkitt, On N. T., Matt. x. 40–2. Our … Saviour encourages his Apostles to Faithfulness in their Office.
1783. Hailes, Antiq. Chr. Ch., ii. 31. The faithfulness and loyalty of the Jews to the Roman government.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), III. xii. 191. The valour and faithfulness of the house of Geroy.
1885. Manch. Exam., 15 May, 5/2. Persons … dependent upon each other’s stability and faithfulness.
Mod. I was exceedingly pleased with the faithfulness of the likeness.
