[f. LOATHSOME + -NESS.]
1. The quality or condition of being loathsome, whether in a physical or moral sense.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1641. Al lathsumnes o wikkudhede has filed þe werld on lenth and brede.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, cii. 2. Delite of syn be noght in thi sight: bot lathsumnes of syn.
a. 1529. Skelton, Dk. Albany, Wks. (Dyce), II. 72. Euer to remayne … In lousy lothsumnesse.
1654. T. Hall (title), The Loathsomnesse of Long Haire.
1756–7. trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), IV. 373. To observe the sudden change of vain beauty into loathsomeness.
1857–8. Sears, Athan., xvi. 135. The … utter loathsomeness of those crimes.
1883. Goldwin Smith, in Contemp. Rev., Dec., 800. If there is beauty, it is mated with hideousness and loathsomeness.
b. quasi-concr. Something loathsome, a loathsome object.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Peter, 7. Those sacrifices of Moses are now all ready growen in to a lothesomenes.
1565. Jewel, Repl. Harding (1611), 312. For auoiding of putrefaction, or some other lothsomnesse.
1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. xiii. (1674), 16. Those enormous and hatefull loathsomnesses, which do so much nauseate good mens eyes.
1867. Bushnell, in Hours at Home, Nov., 6. The very thing now wanted … is a good supply of disfigurements,… loathsomenesses, objects of aversion and disgust.
† 2. A feeling of loathing, disgust or repugnance; aversion, dislike, reluctance; nausea. Obs.
c. 1425. St. Mary of Oignies, II. ii. in Anglia, VIII. 154/28. She receyued no worldes ioye … but forsoke hem wiþ a loþsumnes of herte.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe (1541), 28 b. Southistel … causeth fastidiousnes or lothsomnesse of the stomake.
1556. Cecil, in Froude, Hist. Eng. (1881), VII. 450. The loathsomeness of the Queen’s Majesty to consent thereto.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 190. Neyther that they runne away from them, or fordo them selues for impatientnes and lothsomenes of that estate [slavery].
1620. Venner, Via Recta (1650), 132. The sweet Oranges … cause lothsomnesse in the stomack.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., III. (1636), 108. Loathsomenesse to drinke after others.
1807. E. S. Barrett, Rising Sun, II. 103. We must now, unwillingly, and with a degree of loathsomeness, proceed to give some few examples of it.
1808. Southey, Lett. (1856), II. 104. No sentiment can be excited except of hatred and disgust, which approaches to loathsomeness.
