[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The state, condition or quality of being wrathful; wrath, ire.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. i. 28. Wrathefulnesse forsothe of wilfulnesse … is his turnyng vp so doun.
1546. Wycklyffes Wycket (1828), 3. He shalbe raysed tyll the wrathfulnes before determyned is perfectilye made.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. xxxii. 189. There is no wrathfulnesse in God.
1597. Harington, Orl. Fur., XLII. i. What iron band, or what sharp hard mouth’d bit … Can bridle wrathfulness and conquer it?
1683. J. Pordage, Mystic Div., 118. To the Fire-essence do belong, Fierceness, Fieriness, Wrathfulness.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Irefulness, wrathfulness.
1859. Geo. Eliot, Adam Bede, l. Adam … was afraid she had thought him serious about his wrathfulness.
