a. [f. THOROUGH adv. + going, pr. pple. of GO v. See also THROUGHGOING.] Going the full length; doing things thoroughly; acting with completeness; uncompromising, thorough, extreme, out-and-out. (Of persons, actions, etc.)
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, xiii. A thoroughgoing friend that understands a hint is worth a million!
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, IV. xxxi. 194. They now proceeded to bolder and more thorough-going measures.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), II. 18. What seems … the thorough-going madness of the fiery Persian.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. 120. Jefferson … was a thorough-going party leader.
Hence Thoroughgoingly adv.; Thoroughgoingness. So Thoroughgoer, a thoroughgoing person or animal; Thoroughgoing sb., the action or habit of doing things thoroughly.
1895. Outing (U.S.), 388/1. The horses [polo-ponies] are such *thoroughgoers in the field that it is difficult to say this or the other is best.
1851. J. D. Burns, Jrnl., in Mem., iv. (1869), 66. Much … is said about *thoroughgoing and decision of character.
1886. New Eng. Dict., s.v. Boot sb.3 1 b, Like old boots: vigorously, *thoroughgoingly.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., ii. 65. The newspaper, with its party spirit, its *thorough-goingness.
1867. Pearson, Hist. Eng., I. 35. The Roman sword did its work … with terrible thorough-goingness.
