Also 7 supiness. [f. SUPINE a. + -NESS.]
1. Supine behavior or state of mind; inertness.
1616. J. Earle, On Mr. Beaumont, 55. Thy Workes … Nor with that dull supinenesse to be read, To passe a fire, or laugh an houre in bed.
1678. Lively Oracles, Pref. § 2. That irreligion, prepossession, and supiness which the pursuit of sensual plesures certainly produces.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 60, ¶ 12. He … wonders at the supineness with which their works have been hitherto perused.
1860. Mill, Repr. Govt., ii. (1865), 11. All the negligences, indolences, and supinenesses of mankind.
1868. Peard, Water-farm., viii. 87. If through supineness, or over-confidence, the favorable opportunity is wasted.
1898. R. B. O’Brien, Life C. S. Parnell, I. ix. 195. The agitators acted with vigour and ability; the Government with supineness and stupidity.
2. ‘Posture with the face upward’ (J.). rare–0.
