[f. CRAFTY + -NESS.] The quality of being crafty.
† 1. Skilfulness, cleverness; aptitude in a handicraft. Obs.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 100. Craftynesse, industria.
2. Artfulness in deceiving or overreaching.
1483. Act 1 Rich. III., c. 13. They … of their Craftiness use to bring no more hider.
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. iii. 19. He compaseth the wyse in their craftynes.
1598. F. Meres, Pall. Tamia, 281. When cheating and craftines is counted the cleanest wit.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 97. Thoughts of politic craftiness arose.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., III. v. Its old simplicity of expression got masked by a certain craftiness.
