[f. LUDICROUS + -NESS.] The state or quality of being ludicrous.
1664. H. More, Antid. Idolalry, i. Theol. Wks. (1708), 773. The Ludicrousness and Fugitiveness of our wanton Reason might otherwise find out many Starting-holes [etc.].
1785. Boswell, Tour Hebrides, 160. The ludicrousness, absurdity, and extraordinary contrast between what the fellow fancied, and the reality, was truly comick.
a. 1800. J. Warton, Dryden’s Iliad, D.’s Poet. Wks. (1811), IV. 530. Homer sometimes introduced his gods and goddesses in scenes of ludicrousness.
1865. Ruskin, Crown Wild Olive, iii. (1866), 162. There is a ghastly ludicrousness in this.
