slynessn.
/ˈslʌɪnɪs/ a. The quality or state of being sly (†or wise).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > [noun]
righteousnesseOE
snoterc950
witnessc950
wisdomOE
insightc1175
witc1175
smeighnessc1200
sleighta1300
witternessa1300
inwitc1305
wittiheadc1315
wisenessc1320
witterheda1325
wisehede1340
slyness1357
sapience1377
wisdomhood138.
prudencea1382
sapienta1400
sentencec1400
advice?a1439
sophyc1440
profunditya1500
wittiness1543
Minerva1601
depth1605
Sophia1649
visionariness1817
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or knowledge
insightc1175
smeighnessc1200
slyness1357
cunningc1374
knowledge?a1425
wisdom1526
sight1530
cunningness1609
can1721
know-how1838
can-do1839
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > astuteness
yepshipc1000
yepleȝȝcc1175
yephedea1250
slyness1357
far-castingc1400
policyc1440
far-castc1540
fineness1546
astucec1550
shrewdnessa1616
arguteness1662
cuteness1768
smartness1800
astucity1837
astuteness1843
Yorkshiredom1849
flyness1888
shrewd1977
sus1979
1357 Lay Folks Catech. 424 The fift vertu.. [is] slegh[t]e or sleghness [L. prudencia].
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xix. 22 Ther is certeyn sleeynesse, and it is wicke.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 459 Slynesse, idem quod sleythe.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 271 Slynesse, finesse.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 1110 Most good men detesting the lightnesse of the one, the ambition of the other, and the slinesse of the third.
c1718 J. Swift Sheridan's Submission iv Then, with wonted wile and slyness, They left me in the lurch.
1791 A. Wilson Laurel Disputed ii. 29 In Allan's verse sage sleeness we admire.
1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk I. iv. 86 The eye turned round to look at you without turning the head indicates generally slyness or suspicion.
1885 Manch. Examiner 22 Sept. 5/3 There is a certain slyness and caution about him.
b. A sly or covert allusion. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > hint or covert suggestion > [noun]
feelc1485
inkling1529
intimation1531
insinuation1532
by-warning1542
byword1542
item1561
cue1565
air1567
vent1613
insusurration1614
hinta1616
injection1622
indication1626
infusion1641
side glance1693
ground bass1699
touch1706
side view1747
sidewipe1757
allusion1766
penumbra1770
breath1795
slyness1823
by-hint1853
light1854
shove1857
suggestion1863
sous-entendu1865
point1870
sidewiper1870
sniff1936
1823 T. Moore Fables Holy Alliance ii. 106 And satires at the Court they levelled, And small lampoons, so full of slynesses.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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