Obs. [f. as prec. + -ENCY.]
1. = CONDOLENCE 1, 2.
1622. Donne, Serm., xvi. 153. The first were shed in a condolency of a humane and naturall calamity fallen upon one family: Lazarus was dead.
1668. Lond. Gaz., No. 236/2. He turned his intended Congratulation into Condolency for the Death of the Young Arch Duke.
1821. Bentham, Wks., X. 530. Condolencies, as well as mournings, are bad things.
2. The quality or state of being condolent; compassion; commiseration.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 273. When God heareth Ephraim bemoaning himself … it putteth God to a sort of pinch and condolency.
a. 1703. Burkitt, On N. T., Mark vi. 34. What condolency and sympathizing pity.
