[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The condition or quality of being substantial; solidity, firmness, soundness.
1530. Palsgr., 278/1. Substancialnesse of any thyng, solidité.
1548. W. Thomas, Ital. Gram., Dict. Efficacia, substancialnesse, habilitie, or power.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. 1 Peter 8. Yt excellent good womans maners & manly substauntialnes of mynde.
1555. Harpsfield, in Bonner’s Homilies, 47. Peter, for the soundnes or substancialnes of hys deuotion, is called the rocke of the churches.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, x. (1617), 147. The substancialnesse of bones.
1624. Wotton, Archit., 36. In degree as in substantialnesse [the Ionic is] next aboue the Dorique.
1683. Cave, Ecclesiastici, 335. The smartness of his Wit, the gravity and substantialness of his Sence.
1871. Athenæum, 25 Nov., 685. Converts what is little more than nothing into something which has the semblance of rich, creamy substantialness.
1895. J. Winsor, Columbus, 520. The substantialness of its structure gave rise to rumors that he was preparing a fortress for ulterior aims.
