ruthfulnessn.
/ˈruːθf(ᵿ)lnəs/, U.S. /ˈruθfəlnəs/ rare.
1. Sorrowfulness; regretfulness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > [noun] > state or condition of
drearinessa1000
woeOE
sorrinessOE
sorrowfulnessa1250
heavinessc1275
sorrownessc1300
dreariheada1325
moanc1390
sadnessc1400
grievedness1571
ruthfulness1596
mournfulness1633
waila1682
drearihood1817
woebegoneness1841
tristfulness1847
1596 T. Lodge Margarite of Amer. sig. L2v Neither Fawniaes words, nor the hope she had to reuisit her beloved, could rid her of ruthfulnesse.
1841 ‘J. Hatfield’ James Hatfield & Beauty of Buttermere I. xiv. 226 His accents trembled as he spoke, in a mingled tone of ruthfulness and regret.
2008 G. James Freeze! 162 She still has the occasional attack of melodramatic ruthfulness.
2. Compassion, pity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > [noun]
rutha1200
ruenessa1225
ruefulnessc1225
birewnessa1250
pityc1300
ruea1325
compassionc1340
midtholing1340
miserationa1382
rueinga1382
bowel1382
mildc1390
tendresse1390
ruefulhead?a1400
ruthnessa1400
tendernessa1400
compunction1430
bowels of compassion1526
remorse1538
commiseration1582
kindheartedness1583
commorse1595
earning1603
tender-heartedness1607
compassionateness1614
visceraa1651
ruthfulness1674
karuna1850
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 191 Boundless good will and ruthfulness in sparing some from everlasting burnings.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum Ruthfulness, compassionateness.
a1827 W. Blake Four Zoas viii, in Poetry (1965) ii. 368 Oft doth his Eye emerge from the Abyss into the realms Of his Eternal day & memory strives to augment his ruthfulness Then weeping he descends in wrath drawing all things in his fury Into obedience to his will.
1902 A. H. Lewis Wolfville Days vii. 76 When it gets to a game for money, he can't afford no ruthfulness that a-way, tryin' not to hurt the sore people.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1596