[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or state of being thoughtful.
† 1. Anxiety, concern, melancholy. Obs.
1574. trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 113. The scripture calleth vpon ys to lay away … all thoughtfulnesse for this present life.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. vi. 27. Your self-troubling distrustful care and thoughtfulness.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 418. If he but sees the least Thoughtfulness upon my Brow, studying … to dispel it.
2. Meditativeness, pensiveness; reflectiveness; considerateness.
1697. Burghope, Disc. Relig. Assemb., Ded. These are the men that I wou’d awaken into sober thoughtfulness.
1737. Whiston, Josephus, Antiq., XVI. ix. Herod was silent and in great thoughtfulness.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb., 85. The honest burghers smoked their pipes in profound thoughtfulness.
1876. Miss Braddon, J. Haggard’s Dau., III. 101. A countenance as mysterious in its solemn thoughtfulness as the head of Memnon.
1880. ‘Ouida,’ Moths, II. iv. 89. Reared in tender thoughtfulness to the poor.
