Now rare. [f. FREE a. + -NESS.]

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  1.  The quality or state of being free (in different senses of the adj.); freedom.

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1435.  Misyn, Fire of Love, XX. 46. With frenes truly of þer lyst with grace of god þai ar fulfillyd.

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1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xiii. (1617), 206. According to their freenes, such as it is, they [our wils] work freely in the doings of this world.

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1642.  Bp. Reynolds, Israel’s Petit., 22. That cometh like water out of a Spring, with a voluntary freenesse.

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1647–8.  Cotterell, Davila’s Hist. Fr. (1678), 23–4. The resolution and freeness of courage which the urgency of the present affairs required.

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1656.  Jeanes, Fuln. Christ, 218. The absolute freenesse of it: It was neither for his advantage, as an end, nor for our deservings, as a motive.

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1862.  C. Dresser, Art Decorative Design, 70–1. We see the convolvulus winding its way in graceful freeness around the branches of the hawthorn bush.

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  b.  Const. from.

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1640.  Bp. Reynolds, Passions, xxvi. 260. As Distance from Danger, Freenesse from Enemies, Cleernes from Injuries, &c.

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1648.  Jenkyn, Blind Guide, lit. 36. It being a most hainous sinne to doubt of the freenesse of their writings from all error.

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  2.  Readiness; generosity, liberality.

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c. 1300.  Cursor M., 27861 (Cott. Galba). Frenes of hert and large of gift.

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1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XVI. 88. Filius, bi the Fader wille · and frenesse of spiritus sancti.

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1611.  Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 421.

        Wee’l learne our Freenesse of a Sonne-in-Law:
Pardon’s the word to all.

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1648.  Petit. Eastern Ass., 25. Their … freeness to assist the Kingdome in a time of need.

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1660.  Fuller, Mixt Contempt. (1841), 180. Let us now pay taxes that we may never pay taxes; for, as matters now stand, our freeness at the present may cause our freedom at the future, if once the arrears of the army and navy were discharged.

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1709.  Brit. Apollo, II. No. 37. 1/1. A. This Comparison displays the Freeness of Remission with regard to the Offending Persons.

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  3.  Unreservedness (in speech, etc.); openness, frankness.

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1548.  Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Matt. xvii. 13. The disciples vnderstode that he called Iohn Baptiste Helias, for the lykenes of lyfe, and freenesse in reprouyng of kynges.

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1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet., 106 b. Freenesse of speache, is when we speake boldely & without feare, euen to the proudest of them, whatsoeuer we please.

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c. 1614.  Cornwallis, in Gutch, Coll. Cur. (1781), I. 149. He would requite my kind proceeding with a real freeness.

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1633.  Heywood, Eng. Trav., III. Wks. 1874, IV. 57. Bess. I am sorry my freenesse should offend you.

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