[f. prec. + -NESS.] The quality or state of being favourable. † a. Kindliness, leniency (obs.). b. Suitability. c. Eulogistic or approving character.
a. 1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Luke xvi. He … exhorted theim to a more larger fauourablenesse.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xlvii. 5. The universall favorablenesse wherwith he embraceth all mankynd.
1635. R. N., Camden’s Hist. Eliz., IV. (1688), 441, marg. Her favourableness in taking Contributions.
1656. Artif. Handsom., 199. To the favorablenesse of your Laps future censure … be pleased to add the favour of your pardon, to the length of my answers.
1727–31. in Bailey, vol. II.
b. 1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 457. The favourableness of the soil.
1790. Price, in Burke, Fr. Rev., 79. I mean the consideration of the favourableness of the present times to all exertions in the cause of liberty.
1820. Scoresby, Acc. Arctic Reg., II. 251. The speedy capture of a whale depends on the activity of the harpooners, the favourableness of situation and weather, and, in no inconsiderable degree, on the peculiar conduct of the whale attacked.
c. 1832. Ht. Martineau, Homes Abroad, iv. 51. Been suspected of exaggeration through the favourableness of their report.
