[OE. blíðnes, -nys: f. blíðe, BLITHE + -nes: see -NESS.] The state of being blithe; joyousness, cheeriness, merriness, happiness. (Orig. a synonym of bliss.)
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., III. 212. Wineard wyrcen bliðnysse lif ʓetacnað.
a. 1275. Prov. Ælfred, in O. E. Misc., 105. He is one blisse ouer alle bliþnesse.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., II. iii. 37. Vnder the blyþenesse of people.
1578. Gude & Godlie Ballates (1868), 109. Giue me the blyithnes & the blis Of my sweit Sauiour.
1647. W. Browne, Polex., II. 177. Give over your teares, and put on againe your former blithenesse.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., V. iii. What double blytheness wakens up this day.
1874. T. Hardy, Madding Crowd, II. i. 14. Troy’s blitheness might become aggressive.
