assiduityn.
/asɪˈdjuːɪti/ 1. Constant or close attention to the business in hand, unremitting application, persistent endeavour, perseverance, diligence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > studious care or diligence
yernfulnesseOE
swinkfulnessOE
diligencec1374
applying?c1430
diligencya1513
diligentness1530
sedulity1542
application1543
assiduity1605
sedulousness1622
navity1623
assiduousness1637
intention1638
apply1681
perdiligence1694
painstakingness1917
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Ddd1v Some measure thinges accordinge to the labour and difficulty, or assiduity, which are spent aboute them. View more context for this quotation
1712 J. Hughes Spectator No. 316. ⁋6 The labour and assiduity with which Tully acquired his eloquence.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt III. xl. 105 Not one to fail in a purpose for want of assiduity.
2.
a. Persistent endeavour to please, obsequious attention. archaic except as in 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [noun] > respectful attention
observancec1425
court1590
courtship1597
attendancya1600
observancy1601
observation1605
courting1607
assiduity1641
observantness1727
peculiarity1747
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > studious care or diligence > diligence in service
diligence1493
officiousness1596
assiduity1641
assidencea1656
attention1752
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [noun]
fawninga1350
adulationc1400
papelardya1425
papelardrya1500
captation1523
clawing1548
insinuation1553
curry-favour1581
man-pleasing1588
courting1607
men-pleasing1615
supparasitation1620
sycophantizing1640
assiduity1641
ingratiating1642
licking1648
man-pleasance1656
sycophancy1657
fawnery1661
sycophantrya1677
nutting1789
tuft-hunting1789
cultivation1793
huggery1804
ingratiation1815
sycophantism1821
lickspittling1839
toadyship1839
toadyism1840
bootlicking1849
toadying1863
arse-licking1912
lickspittle1914
apple-polishing1926
pot-licking1929
brown-nosing1934
ass-kissing1936
arse-kissing1937
ass-licking1946
sucking-up1946
bum-sucking1949
love bomb1975
love-bombing1976
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. Dv And could not brooke the obsequiousnesse and assiduitie of the Court.
1728 J. Swift Intelligencer (1729) No. 7. 61 His Lord was..attended by him with the most abject Assiduity.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. 287 Full of serene, delicate, reverential assiduity.
b. esp. in plural. Constant attentions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] > studious care or diligence > diligence in service > instances of
assiduity1683
sedulities1694
1683 D. A. Whole Art Converse 98 To be rid of our troublesome assiduities.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lv. 201 To vanquish her coldness and suspicion by my assiduities.
1847 H. Rogers Ess. I. v. 242 And even declined, with cold and averted eye, the assiduities of their zealous love.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [noun]
oftnessa1425
oftenness1565
community1595
commonness1597
frequence1603
assiduity1611
frequency1641
crebrity1656
frequentness1664
ofteninga1889
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Assiduité, assiduity, frequencie, oftennesse.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 294 To dishonour miracles, by the assiduity and frequency, and multiplicity of them.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) iii. i. 323 The Magnitude is various, according to the condition of the Organs and dignity of the Actions, their Assiduity and Magnitude.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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n.1605