a. Also 6 laudabul, lawd(e)able, 6–7 laudible. [ad. L. laudābilis, f. laudāre: see LAUD v. and -ABLE.]
1. Of immaterial things, actions, etc.: Praiseworthy, commendable. † Also, in early use, of the nature of praise, laudatory.
c. 1420. Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.), 1359. And dred þus laudable wordus more in hure þouȝt.
1479. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 413. The … laudable custumes foresaide.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 4. After the lawdeable custome used in tyme of his moste noble progenytours.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 53. The laudable sciences of phisick and surgerie.
1605. Shaks., Macb., IV. ii. 76. This earthly world: where to do harme Is often laudable.
c. 1610. Women Saints, 178. When his precious ashes and laudable corps was caried to the martyrs seate.
1670. Walton, Lives, IV. 278. A laudible ambition to be something more than he then was.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 180, ¶ 6. In the Sight of Reason, nothing is laudable but what is guided by Reason.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., III. liv. 165. His conduct … was innocent, and even laudable.
1791. Gentl. Mag., 1/2. A wish that so laudable an institution may be more generally known.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 74. Using scandalous means for the purpose of obtaining a laudable end.
1879. Miss Braddon, Cloven Foot, III. 269. He carried out this resolve with laudable firmness.
1886. Ruskin, Præterita, I. 398. Laudable curiosity.
† b. Of testimony: Trustworthy. Obs.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva, 84. Upon laudable and unsuspected Record.
2. Of material objects and physical conditions: Of satisfactory nature, quality or operation; healthy, sound, wholesome. Now only Med. of secretions, esp. pus (see quots.).
1514. Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.), 4. The somer season men counteth now laudable.
c. 1550. Lloyd, Treas. Health (1585), b ij. A bloudy fluxe, an hidropsy or madnesse after a frenesy, are laudable.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 464. The sheep of the Isle Chius are very small, and yet their milk maketh very laudable cheese.
1634. R. H., Salernes Regim., 27. Kids flesh is better and more laudable then any other flesh.
1675. Evelyn, Terra (1676), 127. It may be a laudable Compost for moist grounds.
1669. Boyle, Contn. New Exp., II. (1682), 185. I found the Apple of a laudable colour.
c. 1720. Gibson, Farrier’s Guide, II. liii. (1738), 207. To promote a laudable growth of flesh.
1725. N. Robinson, Theory Physick, 269. If after the third Day a laudable Expectoration does not appear … then [etc.].
1794–6. E. Darwin, Zoon. (1801), I. 501. Ulcers which are said to abound with laudable pus.
1829. Health & Longevity, 229. Easier and sooner reduced to laudable chyle.
1878. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., I. 19. When thick and creamy, it is known as healthy or laudable pus.
3. sb. in pl. a. Laudable qualities, good points. b. Persons of title, dignities. Obs. or nonce-uses.
1715. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., I. 321. To do Justice, even to ones Enemy’s Laudables.
1815. Q. Rev., XIV. 135. The number of these Laudables, including Dukes [etc.].
Hence Laudableness.
1695. J. Edwards, Perfect. Script., 423. He asserts the truth of his doctrine, and the laudableness of his actions.
1730–6. in Bailey (fol.).
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 243. We shall … look upon the laudableness of an action as a certain evidence of its usefulness.
