Obs. [f. SOOTH a. + -NESS.]
1. The fact, quality or condition of being true (in various senses); truth or verity; fidelity, faithfulness; reality, fact: a. Without article.
c. 1275. Passion our Lord, 365, in O. E. Misc. Þo seyde pilates him to, hwat is soþnesse.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 988. Vor me mai bet soþnesse of þe moder þan of þe fader iwite.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 71. Fame þat is false … falliþ out of mynde, oþer is despreued by soþenesse i-knowe.
c. 1440. Eng. Conq. Ireland, 102. He was … of mych speche, & lytel sothnesse.
1530. Palsgr., 273/1. Sothenesse, ueritè.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, iv. (1592), 43. Verely the most in effect that we can knowe concerning his being,… whether we terme it Soothnesse, or Wisedome,… or Godhead,… it cannot fit him.
personif. 1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 163. Soþnesse sauh hem wel and seide bote luyte.
b. In soothness, in truth, reality, etc.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sec. Nun’s T., 261. Sayst thou thus to me In sothenes, or in drem I herkne this?
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 27. Wan he is þus iugid & rettid of men, þow he be not so in soþnes.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 330. For in sothnesse of al þer was noon That lyue myȝt by that fatal lawe.
2. With the. The truth.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7236. Hii wepe & made deol ynou vor hii seye þe soþnesse.
1340. Ayenb., 44. Hede þe zoþnesse of þe þinge þet me wyle zelle.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., I. pr. vi. (1868), 26. Ne neuer nas ȝit day þat myȝte putte me oute of þe soþenesse of þat sentence.
