[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or state of being fortunate.
1530. Palsgr., 222/2. Fortunatnesse, bienhevreté.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia (1622), 117. The only subject of the destinies’ displeasure, whose greatest fortunatenesse is more vnfortunate, then my sisters greatest vnfortunatenesse.
1664. Marvell, Corr., Wks. 1872–5, II. 122. Nor values he himself therefore so much upon all these things though in themselves excellent and desirable, nor upon the largeness of his Territories, nor the tranquility of his Kingdoms, nor the fortunateness of his Armes, in comparison of the constancy of his Friends.
1825. Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 30. Felicity, in its proper sense, is but another word for fortunateness, or happiness; and I can see no advantage in the improper use of words, when proper terms are to be found, but, on the contrary, much mischief.
1860. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., V. IX. x. § 9. 308. The youngest child of Phorcys and Ceto is the Dragon of the Hesperides; but this latest descent is not, as in Northern traditions, a sign of fortunateness: on the contrary, the children of Nereus receive gradually more and more terror and power, as they are later born, till this last of the Nereids unites horror and power at their utmost.
