heart-searchingn.
/ˈhɑːtˌsəːtʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈhɑrtˌsərtʃɪŋ/ The action or an act of rigorously examining one's feelings, motives, conscience, etc.; self-scrutiny. Cf. soul-searching n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [noun] > remorse
pityc1330
agenbite1340
griefa1375
out-thinkinga1382
remorse of conscience (also mind)c1410
remorsea1425
regreta1540
wringing1623
remord1625
resentment1646
heart-searching1647
remordency1658
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > repentance or contrition > [noun]
reusingeOE
rueeOE
ruenessOE
bireusingc1000
penitencea1200
rutha1200
after-charc1220
again-charc1220
ruesomenessa1225
ofthinkingc1225
forthinkinga1250
repentancec1300
penancea1325
pityc1330
compunctiona1340
agenbite1340
repentingc1350
athinking1382
contritionc1386
repentaillec1390
rueinga1400
remorse of conscience (also mind)c1410
conscience?a1425
remorsea1425
penitencya1500
penitudea1538
resipiscency?c1550
penancy?1567
resipiscence1570
repent1573
brokennessa1617
remorsefulnessa1617
synteresy1616
synderesis1639
heart-searching1647
synteresis1650
remordency1658
contriteness1692
resentment1705
penitentness1727
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 57 Into what importable..heart-searchings you will be ingulfed.
1685 J. Flavel Πνευματολογία 115 To what purpose is all this self-denyal, all these heart-searchings,..if there be no such life to be enjoyed with God?
1754 B. Wallin God's Relation to Faithful 38 He appeared to have had many heart searchings.
1827 Relig. Intelligencer (New-Haven, Conn.) 10 Feb. 587/2 It now became a time of heart searching in the church.
1885 Athenæum 28 Nov. 697/1 The somewhat superfluous heart-searchings he has undergone.
1925 E. F. Norton in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 48 I had had some heart-searching over one or two of the earlier passes: on the Bahman Dopté, for instance, Mallory and Odell had quite run away from me.
1957 Music & Lett. 38 193 Mussorgsky's distress over his abnormality..is recorded in some anguished heartsearchings in letters to friends.
2005 V. Seth Two Lives (2006) iii. xxxiii. 346 A country that has examined with so much heart-searching the effect of past Judaeophobia.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
heart-searchingadj.
/ˈhɑːtˌsəːtʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈhɑrtˌsərtʃɪŋ/ That rigorously examines, or causes a person to examine, the feelings or conscience. Also (now chiefly): characterized by such examination. Cf. soul-searching adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > spirituality > mind, soul, spirit, heart > introspection > [adjective]
soul-searching1591
heart-searching1600
self-searching1612
introverted1782
1600 I. H. tr. Z. Ursine Coll. Learned Disc. 28 The church iudgeth not of things so secret, but only the hart-searching God.
1658 A. Burgess Doctr. Orig. Sin iii. ii. 232 Men are most pleased with a formal, drousie, flattering Ministry, they rage at that which is powerfull, particular, heart-searching preaching.
a1708 W. Beveridge Thes. Theologicus (1711) III. 6 To fear Him..as an heart-searching God.
1773 Jesus Triumphant in Conversion & Death of A. C. Merks 52 After a heart-searching conversation suited to her capacity, she continued firm and sure in the hope of Salvation.
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. iii. 10 Even so, heart-searching Lord,..Thou keepest silent watch from thy triumphal throne.
1842 I. Williams Baptistery I. iii. 297 Fill me with heart-searching fears.
1913 L. Tracy Terms of Surrender vii. 107 The weather was nearly perfection, and distinctly unsuited for a heart-searching discussion; but Nancy seemed to be in a mood that..invited self-torture.
1993 Classic CD June 7/2 One of his [sc. Mozart's] most heart-searching slow movements.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1647adj.1600