Now rare. [f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality of being jealous; jealousy; suspicion.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 88. Chana, þat is gelousnes. Ibid. (1382), Num. v. 15. If the spiryt of gelousnes stire the man aȝens his wijf. Ibid., Song Sol. viii. 6. Strong is as deth looue, hard as helle ielousnesse.
c. 1420. Avow. Arth., lxiv. Of jelusnes be thou bold.
a. 1626. Bacon, War with Spain, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), IV. 135. Not out of umbrages, light jealousness, apprehensions afar off, but out of clear foresight of imminent danger.
1824. Nashville Whig, 24 May, 2/2. Had they not abandoned all their jealousness and ill-will, and labored in the closest concert, it would never have been accomplished.
