[f. prec. + -NESS.] = VENERABILITY 1.
1681. Whole Duty Nations, 59. Things that have only the thin pretexts of Antiquity to give them some venerableness.
1710. Palmer, Proverbs, 232. As there is a native venerableness in grey hairs, so ’tis impious to make ’em the subject of a jest.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, VI. xxiv. 133. Years written by venerableness, rather than by wrinkles, in her face.
1823. Lamb, Elia, II. Tombs in Abbey. You owe it to the venerableness of your ecclesiastical establishment.
1872. Shipley, Gloss. Eccl. Terms, 346. The office … is one of extreme venerableness and antiquity.
