Obs. [f. as prec. + -NESS.] Quality or state of being criminal; = CRIMINALITY.
a. 1660. Hammond, Wks., II. 131 (R.). To … excuse our schism, or avert the criminalness of it.
1698. [R. Fergusson], View of Ecclesiastick, 50. And what he there delivers as an Apology, is a proof of his Criminalness.
1755. in Johnson.
1775. Ash [see CRIMINALTY].
