Obs. Also 5–6 lachenes, 6 lasshnesse, 7 lasch(e)nes(s. [f. LASH a. + -NESS.] Slackness (of body or mind); remissness; also, cowardice.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 15. I cannot haue meruaille ynough of the grete slouthe and lachenes of your men. Ibid. (1484), Ordre of Chyualry, 77. Gloutonye … engendreth slouthe and lachenes of body.
1530. Palsgr., 237/2. Lasshnesse, lascheté.
1533. St. Papers Hen. VIII., II. 162. The great lachenes my Lord of Ossory hath imputed to me.
1591. R. Bruce, Serm., vi. O v b. Let it not come to passe be ȝour misbehaueour and lashnes, that the glorie of God … be impared in any waies.
1641. R. Baillie, Lett. & Jrnls. (1841), I. 347. In the end, after some lashness and fagging, he made … ane pathetick oration.
1673. O. Walker, Educ., I. v. (ed. 2), 36. Not to … degenerate into softnes and laschenes.
