affectionatenessn.
/əˈfɛkʃənətnəs/, /əˈfɛkʃn̩ətnəs/, U.S. /əˈfɛkʃ(ə)nətnəs/ The quality of being affectionate (in various uses); †earnestness, eagerness (obsolete); kindly or loving disposition; fondness, kindness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [noun] > earnestness
knacking earnest1496
earnestness1532
earnesty1548
affectionatenessa1622
in-earnestness1879
the mind > emotion > love > affection > [noun]
lovingeOE
cherte?c1225
amoura1300
dearnessc1320
affectionc1384
homelinessc1384
kindnessc1390
affect1440
gleimc1449
regard?1533
infection1600
affectation1607
fonding1640
endearedness1654
charities1667
endearment1709
affectuosity1730
affectionateness1751
fondliness1821
grá1833
aroha1846
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > [noun]
goodshipOE
goodnessOE
well-willingnessOE
goodlaikc1175
charity?c1225
courtesy1297
kindnessc1300
meeknessc1300
kindheada1325
benignityc1374
benevolencec1384
kindshipa1393
betternessa1400
homeliness1402
goodliness1405
courteousnessc1430
kindliness1440
kindlaikc1450
beneficialness1528
beneficence1531
benevolency1545
beneficency1576
kindheartedness1583
benefiting1594
candidness1643
benefacture1651
geniality1652
candour1653
hearta1656
obliging1676
benevolentness1736
affectionateness1751
warm-heartedness1808
Samaritanism1843
sweet-heartedness1865
benignancy1876
a1622 N. Byfield Comm. 2nd Chapter of 1st Epist. St. Peter (1623) 544 Hee shewes that the great opinion of himselfe is taken downe in him..[by his] affectionatenes: Hee loues the name of the Lord, and to bee the Lords seruant.
1669 A. Honyman Surv. Naphtali II. 244 Persons not equally allowed by Christ to be in the ministry, may be equal in the manner of their utterance, seeming affectionateness..earnest manner of application.
1701 D. Hamilton Inward Testimony Spirit Christ 156 Natural boldness and affectionateness may move a Person in publick or closet Prayer to utter such words which the sacred Scripture alloweth of.
1751 E. Carter Let. 27 Sept. in Series of Lett. E. Carter & Miss C. Talbot (1808) 283 A fair-dealing kind of affectionateness, ready to encourage and acknowledge its liking of all amiable people.
1826 M. R. Mitford Our Village II. 304 The generosity and affectionateness of the motive.
1848 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare Guesses at Truth 2nd Ser. (ed. 2) 342 The strong affectionateness of womanhood.
1858 W. M. Thackeray Virginians ii. 19 The affectionateness of the present greeting.
1877 J. B. Mozley Univ. Serm. (ed. 3) ix. 201 The affectionateness of beseeching looks and supplicating voices.
1904 Goose Quill (Chicago) Feb. 21 Mr. Thompson has something of the affectionateness and a great deal of the stupidity of Boswell.
1922 E. von Arnim Enchanted April (1989) xvi. 254 Lotty, marvelling at such rapidly developing affectionateness.
1958 E. Percy Some Memories iii. 46 His personal affectionateness and his love of children.
2004 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 18 Jan. xiv. li11 The intelligence of the poodle and the gentle affectionateness of the golden make a perfect match.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.a1622