sportfulnessn.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. K2 So as neither the admiration and commiseration, nor the right sportfulnes, is by their mungrell Tragy-comedie obtained.

?1608 J. Donne Let. in Poems (1633) 371 When sadnesse dejects me,..I kindle squibs about mee againe, and flie into sportfulnesse and company.

1668 H. More Divine Dialogues ii. xiii. 244 The birth of Monsters; which I look upon but as a piece of Sportfulness in the order of things.

1710 R. Ward Life H. More 48 It is hard to represent the Wit, Reason, Zeal, Phancy, Sportfulness, and Seriousness,..there is contain'd in this Writing.

1756 T. Amory Life John Buncle I. 417 She had a sportfulness of wit and fancy that was delightful.

1831 T. Carlyle in Fraser's Mag. Mar. 145/1 Majesty rather than grace, still more than lightness or sportfulness, characterizes him.

1898 Christian Herald (N.Y.) 12 Jan. 24/1 That which opened in sportfulness ended in violence.

1935 T. S. Eliot Murder in Cathedral i. 24 Clergy and laity may return to gaiety, Mirth and sportfulness need not walk warily.

1980 Shakespeare Q. 31 222/1 He seemed an entirely appropriate recruit to play Hymen at the end..leading the couples in a group rendition of ‘Wedding is great Juno's crown’, as all were caught up in the last moments of sportfulness.