Forms: 6 spedynesse, spedi-, speedines, 6–7 speedinesse, 6– speediness (7 speedy-). [f. SPEEDY a. Cf. OE. spédiʓnes opulence.] The quality of being speedy; quickness, celerity, promptitude.
1530. Palsgr., 274/1. Spedynesse, hastifueté.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. ix. 60. Maruelyng at so great spedines of miracles.
1635. Swan, Spec. M., vi. § 2 (1643), 202. [Waters] yield us an easinesse and speedinesse of conduct and traffick.
1663. S. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xix. (1687), 185. The wounds … are made more angry, and you hinder the speediness of the Cure.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch (1851), I. 279/1. Much lustre did fortune add to the gallantry of their exploits by the speediness of their execution.
1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 234. For the certainty, ease, and speediness of cure.
