[f. FRIENDLY a. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being friendly; rarely pl., manifestations of friendliness.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, vii. 30. [They] began to treate wyth theym curtoysly,… wyth all gre and frendlynes.
a. 1500. Chaucer’s Dreme, 814.
| And sith she hadde whole richesse | |
| Of womanhead and friendlinesse. |
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 10. His humblenes, and frendelynes to all men, were thinges, openly, of the world perceiued.
1650. Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, i. § 4 (1680), 7. Let all the Intervals, or void spaces of time be imployed in prayers, reading, meditating, works of nature, recreation, charitie, friendlinesse and neighbourhood, and means of spiritual and corporal health.
1790. G. Walker, Serm., II. xxi. 127. If the lust of getting be once followed in you by the increasing lust of keeping, you are withdrawn from all the engaging, the heart-rejoicing friendlinesses of a human being.
1807. Southey, Lett., 8 Dec., in Life & Corr., III. xiii. 124. Fully sensible of your friendliness.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, I. xvi. The keen eyes were bright with hope and friendliness.
