[f. as prec. + -NESS.]

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  1.  Fitness for a purpose; suitableness, appropriateness.

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1538.  Starkey, England, 5. Your aptenes … no man doth dowte.

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1702.  Addison, Medals, ii. 134. The aptness of such a posture to represent an extreme affliction.

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1844.  Kinglake, Eöthen, xi. (1878), 151. The universal aptness of a religious system.

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  2.  Habitual tendency or predisposition; inclination, propensity, proneness: a. of persons.

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1548.  Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Rom. ii. 14 (R.). A forwardnes to sinne and a certaine aptnes therunto.

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1767.  Fordyce, Serm. Yng. Wom., II. viii. 22. That aptness … to be affrighted at trifling accidents.

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  b.  of things.

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1627.  Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., x. 51. Aptnesse and disposition to putrifie.

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1794.  Herschel, in Phil. Trans., LXXXV. 64. The heat of any situation depends upon the aptness of the medium to yield to the impression of the solar rays.

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  3.  Ready susceptibility, quickness of apprehension; capacity, proficiency, aptitude.

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1598.  Yong, Diana, 155. The aptnes and actiuitie of the iolly Shepherdes.

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1612.  Brinsley, Pos. Parts (1669), Introd. 2. A Scholar of any aptness.

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1742.  Richardson, Pamela, IV. 317. Tricks, of which the Aptness or Docility of their Natures makes them capable.

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1830.  Orme, Baxter, I. 19. He possessed a measure of aptness to teach and persuade men.

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