[f. LOVING ppl. a. + KINDNESS. Originally two words; the combination was introduced by Coverdale.] Affectionate tenderness and consideration; kindness arising from a deep personal love, as the active love of God for his creatures.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. xxv. 6. Call to remembraunce, O Lorde, thy tender mercyes & thy louinge kyndnesses, which haue bene euer of olde. Ibid., lxxxix. 33. Neuerthelesse, my louynge kyndnesse wil I not vtterly take from him.
1554–9. Songs & Ball. (1860), 3. What great lovyng kyndnes did God show in thys cace?
a. 1729. J. Rogers, 19 Serm. (1735), 349. The amiable Attributes of Goodness and Loving-kindness.
1807–8. W. Irving, Salmag. (1824), 144. A lady of unbounded loving-kindness.
1871. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 2. The infinite mercy and loving-kindness of a supreme creator.
Hence (back-formation) Loving-kindly adv.
1840. Lowell, Love. A love … that seeth faults, Not with flaw-seeking eyes … But loving-kindly ever looks them down.
