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assiduity|æsɪˈdjuːɪtɪ|
[(? a. F. assiduité), ad. L. assiduitātem, n. of quality f. assiduus: see -ity.]
1. Constant or close attention to the business in hand, unremitting application, persistent endeavour, perseverance, diligence.
1605Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. xxiii. §37 Some measure things according to the labour and difficulty or assiduity which are spent about them. 1712Hughes Spect. No. 316 ⁋6 The labour and assiduity with which Tully acquired his eloquence. 1866Geo. Eliot F. Holt III. xl. 105 Not one to fail in a purpose for want of assiduity.
2. Persistent endeavour to please, obsequious attention. arch. exc. as in b.
1630Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 38 And could not brook the obsequiousnesse and assiduity of the Court. 1720Swift Fates Clergym. Wks. 1755 II. ii. 27 His lord was..attended by him with the most abject assiduity. 1825Bro. Jonathan II. 287 Full of serene, delicate, reverential assiduity.
b. esp. in pl. Constant attentions.
1683D. A. Art Converse 98 To be rid of our troublesome assiduities. 1748Smollett Rod. Rand. lv. (1804) 389 To vanquish her coldness and suspicion by my assiduities. 1847H. Rogers Ess. I. v. 242 And even declined, with cold and averted eye, the assiduities of their zealous love.
†3. Continual recurrence or repetition, frequency.
1611Cotgr., Assiduité, assiduity, frequencie, oftennesse. 1626Donne Serm. iv. 36 To dishonour miracles by the assiduity and frequency and multiplicity of them. 1668Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. iii. i. 323 The Magnitude is various, according to the condition of the Organs and dignity of the Actions, their Assiduity and Magnitude. |