[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality of being swart; swarthiness, duskiness.
a. 1100. Aldhelm Gloss., I. 4681 (Napier 121/1). Nigredine, sweartnysse.
a. 1395. Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), II. xii. The swartnesse [1533 blackenes] that I haue is all wythoute.
1530. Palsgr., 278/1. Swartnesse, estalleure.
1584. B. R., trans. Herodotus, II. 75. The blacknesse and swartnesse of the people.
1590. Barrough, Meth. Phisick, III. xix. (1639), 133. It chanceth sometime the face to be made very red … but this colour turneth againe into swartnesse.
1823. Scott, Peveril, xxvi. She … denounced the plague of swartness to the linen, of leanness to the poultry, of dearth and dishonour to the housekeeping.
