Obs. or arch. [f. WIGHT a. + -NESS.] The quality of being ‘wight’; valor, courage, bravery; strength, might, force, vigor, energy; activity, agility, alacrity.
13[?]. K. Alis., 5495 (Laud MS.). Wiþ suerd & shelde in batayle To proue his wiȝtnesse.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 240. He wissed hem wynne it aȝeyne þorw wightnesse of handes. Ibid. (1393), C. XII. 284. That noþer wit ne wyghtnesse wan neuere þe maistrie With-oute þe grete gyfte of god.
c. 1440. York Myst., x. 58. Now … fra me is all wightnes wente.
1483. Cath. Angl., 417/2. Wightnesse, alacritas,… celeritas factorum, velocitas pedum est & corporum.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 105. Gretlie thay take plesure in the wichtnes of thair bodie. Ibid., 334. His strang defence of the Clergie of Scotland, and his wichtnes contrare the aduersar.
1742. R. Forbes, Ajax, etc. (1755), 8.
| But gin my wightness doubted war, | |
| I wat my gentle bleed, | |
| As being sin to TELAMON, | |
| Right sickerly does plead. |
