a. Now app. Obs., but cf. UNCONSCIONABLE. [Found with its compounds, and CONSCIONED, in first half of 16th c. These, with CONSCIONLESS, appear to be popular formations from conscion, taken as a singular of conscien-ce (see note to the latter) + -ABLE: cf. fashion-able. (See F. Hall, Engl. Adjectives in -able, 1877, 65.)]
† 1. Having a conscience (= CONSCIONED), as in tender-conscionable; having a good conscience; governed by conscience; conscientious, scrupulous.
1549. Latimer, 5th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 145. There were … in both houses, a greate manye learned men, conscionable men, wyse men.
1552. Huloet, Conscionable or hauynge a good conscience, religiosus.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 52. Conscionable in their dealings as well toward the poore as toward the rich.
1604. Shaks., Oth., II. i. 269. Who stands so eminent in the degree of this Forune, as Cassio do’s: a knaue very voluble: no further conscionable, then in putting on the meere forme of Ciuill, and Humaine seeming, for the better compasse of his falt, and most hidden loose Affection?
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 240. True hearted to God, and conscionable in their ways.
1670. Baxter, Cure Ch. Div., 313. Tender conscionable christians.
1708. Mrs. Centlivre, Busie Body, III. iv. You and my most conscionable Guardian here … plotted and agreed, to chouse a … Gentleman, out of a Hundred Pound.
† b. Having conscience of, conscientiously regardful or observant of. Obs.
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, xvi. 52. Conscionable of that one thing which is needfull, with Mary.
1655. Gouge’s Comm. Heb., Life. He was in speciall manner conscionable of the Lords day.
† c. In bad sense; Over-scrupulous. Obs.
1628. Bp. Hall, Contempl. O. T., IV. i. The same Devil … speaks still in our scoffers, and calls Religion Hypocrisie, conscionable care, singularity.
2. Of actions, etc.: Showing regard for, or conformable to, conscience; conscientious, scrupulous.
1582. Bentley, Mon. Matrones, III. 268. Conscionable obedience towards me.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 384. Conscionable discharge of the taske imposed upon us.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 115. Truly a very fair and conscionable Reckoning!
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., V. xvii. (1852), 235. Yielding more hearty and conscionable obedience to civil magistrates.
† 3. Of or belonging to conscience or equity. Obs.–1
1672. Cowell’s Interpr., Court of Requests … is a Court of Equity, of the same nature with the Chancery, but inferior to it, being principally instituted for the help of such Petitioners as in conscionable cases deal by Supplication with his Majesty.
† b. Equitable, just. Obs.–1
1661. Bramhall, Just Vind., iv. 60. To justifie their pretended title, or to render them … lawful and conscionable possessours.
