[f. STAID a. + -NESS.] The quality or fact of being staid (see the adj.)
1. Stability, permanence, constancy.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices, I. (1558), 57 b. Wherof comes a great presumption that they haue no staiednesse.
1581. Pettie, trans. Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., II. (1586), 95 b. Her stayednesse in sticking to her friends.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 155. This facultie of the fantasie is … so farre from stayednes, that euen in the time of sleep it hardly taketh any rest.
1613. J. Davies (Heref.), Muse’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), I. 13/2. Good Kings are least alone, when most alone; For stilnesse is the staidnesse of their Throne.
1631. Lenton, Charact., G 12. He is a man of no staidnesse, for he leaues a Rocke to build vpon the Sand.
1661. Glanvill, Van. Dogm., 111. That serenity and fixed stayedness, which is necessary to so seuere an intentness.
1710. Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, App. Reasons for Bill, 8. Before they have … stayedness of Mind to withstand Temptations.
2. Sobriety of character, manner or conduct.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtier, Yy 4 b. Staidenesse, noble courage [etc.].
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xviii. 26. 62. His accustomed stayednesse.
1626. Middleton, Anything for Quiet Life, I. i. 46. A matron’s sober staidness in her eye.
1650. R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low C. Wars, I. 19. His dexterity of wit, and staiedness of judgement, far riper then his years.
1685. Crowne, Sir C. Nice, I. 5. Will you never learn staidness and gravity?
a. 1720. Sewel, Hist. Quakers (1795), I. 11. Endued with a gravity and staidness of mind, that is seldom seen in children.
1825. Mrs. Sherwood, Old Times, I. 11. It compelled her to observe a stayedness of manner.
1842. Browning, In Gondola, 132. Where’s a trace Of the staidness and reserve … In the same child’s playing-face?
1884. May Crommelin, Brown-Eyes, iv. 42. A sweet staidness noticeable in all the women of Marken.
