Now rare; formerly common in religious use. Also 5 -yte, 6–7 -itie, -ye. [ad. late L. longanimitāt-em (occurring, e.g., in Vulg. 2 Pet. iii. 15), f. longanimus (see next), after Gr. μακροθυμία. Cf. F. longanimité.] Long-suffering; forbearance or patience (e.g., under provocation). (See also quot. 1656.)
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, I. xiii. 14. Thou shalt ouercome hem [temptacions] better litel & litel by pacience & longanimyte.
1552. Latimer, Serm. Lincolnsh., viii. 131. Hys longanimity and long tarying for our amendment.
a. 1600. Hooker, Serm. Pride, Wks. 1888, III. 614. In Isaac such simplicity, such longanimity in Jacob.
1652. Howell, Giraffi’s Rev. Naples, II. 198. The staidnesse, longanimity and constancy of the Spaniard.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., s.v., In Divinity it is thus defined; Longanimity is an untired confidence of mind in expecting the good things of the life to come.
1682. Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor., III. § 1. The Longanimity of God would no longer endure such vivacious abominations.
1724. Warburton, Tracts (1789), 14. Constancy is a Word too weak to express so extraordinary a Behaviour, ’twas Patience, ’twas Longanimity.
1813. Mar. Edgeworth, Patronage (1832), III. xxxviii. 71. The same penetration, the same longanimity, which enabled him to govern the affairs of a great nation, gave him a foresight for his own happiness.
1868. E. Edwards, Ralegh, I. xi. 217. In true generosity of soul, he [Essex] was as little a match for Ralegh as in longanimity.
1890. Spectator, 11 Jan., 55/1. His longanimity under the foolishness of the young woman is really marvellous.
¶ erron. Length (of time); also, prolixity.
1607. [see LONGINQUITY 2, quot. 1658].
1854. Lowell, Cambridge 30 Yrs. Ago, Pr. Wks. 1890, I. 83. He is expected to ask a blessing and return thanks at the dinner, a function which he performs with centenarian longanimity, as if he reckoned the ordinary life of man to be fivescore years. Ibid. (1861), Biglow P., Ser. II. i. Poet. Wks. 1890, II. 216. A catalogue … emulous in longanimity of Homer’s list of ships.
