[f. prec. + -NESS.] The character or quality of being worthless.
1611. Cotgr., Vileté, vilenesse, basenesse, worthlesnesse.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., II. ix. 87. That his people may find his worth by the worthlesnesse of him that succeeds.
1662. H. Stubbe, Indian Nectar, Pref. 12. Man ought to entertain other despair, then what his own Worthlessness creates in him.
1703. J. Savage, Lett. Antients, liv. 139. I am heartily glad that other Ladies besides me have discovered thy Worthlesness.
1771. Junius Lett., lvii. 297. The meanness and intrinsic worthlessness of the object (supposing he could attain it) would fill him with shame … and disgust.
1817. J. Scott, Paris Revisit. (ed. 4), 313. A cold cruelty of practice, quite equal to the worthlessness of her principles.
1852. Grote, Greece, II. lxxi. IX. 247. He proclaimed that … he was ashamed of the worthlessness of his countrymen.
1884. R. W. Church, Bacon, v. 102. The many extravagant tributes paid … to high-handed worthlessness.
