[f. LAME a. + -NESS.] The condition or quality of being lame; unsoundness of a limb causing halting movement; fig. imperfectness, defectiveness.
1530. Palsgr., 237/1. Lamenesse, mehaygneté.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 31/1. The patient is wholye cured, without retayninge any lamnes in his arm.
1658. A. Fox, Würtz’ Surg., II. ix. 78. On the Temple is a sinew, which if that be cut, it causeth lameness in the jaw bone.
1658–9. Burton’s Diary (1826), III. 18. I love not to hear it, that there is a lameness in this House.
1670. Dryden, 2nd Pt. Conq. Granada, 163. The lameness of their plots.
1723. S. Morland, Spec. Lat. Dict., 9. As for the Law, care has been taken to help the Lameness of their Latin.
1782. Wilson, in Phil. Trans., LXXIII. 161. The lameness of the views … may … proceed … from our … imperfect knowledge.
1841. Catlin, N. Amer. Ind. (1844), II. xl. 50. Complaining of the lameness of our bones from the chase on the former day.
1846. Grote, Greece (1862), II. vii. 189. Respecting the lameness of Tyrtæus, we can say nothing.
