[OE. flǽsclicness, f. flǽsclic, FLESHLY + -NESS.]
1. † a. In O.E.; Incarnate condition. b. Fleshly quality or state, carnality; ‘carnal passions or appetites’ (J.).
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 278. Se ðe, æfter menniscum wisdome, wile smeagan ymbe ða ȝerynu Christes flæsclicnysse.
1388. Wyclif, Deut. xvii. 17. The kyng schal not haue ful many wyues, that drawen his soule to ouer myche fleischlynesse.
1450–1530. Myrr. our Ladye, 84. Thre maner of people, whiche as the gospel tellyth, were called to oure Lordes soper, and came not, for pryde for worldlynesse and for flesshelynesse.
1658. Whole Duty Man, xvi. 343. ’Tis the carnality and fleshliness of our hearts that makes it seem so.
1859. I. Taylor, Logic in Theol., 338. That extreme creed which satisfies a sensuous and sensual fleshliness.
† 2. Fullness of flesh; fleshiness. Obs.–0
1552. Huloet, Fleshlines, or abundaunce of flesh called carnositye, carnositas.
1580. Baret, Alv., G 569. Grossenesse, or fleshlinesse, corpulentia.
1611. Cotgr., Carnosité, fleshlinesse, fulnesse of flesh.
