Obs. Forms: (5 tymorysite), 6 timerosity, -itie, tymer-, (temer-), timorositie, 6–7 timorosity. [f. as TIMOROUS + -ITY; cf. obs. It. timorosità (Florio).] Timorousness, timidity.

1

1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, iv. 20. For tymorysite … his tonge … clyued to the palate of his mouuth.

2

1531.  Elyot, Gov., I. xxi. Audacitie with timerositie maketh Magnanimitie. Ibid., III. viii. The surplusage is called Audacitie, the lacke Timorositie or feare.

3

1538.  St. Papers Hen. VIII., III. 12. In the end, temerositie putt apart, I have determinid playnly to expres to your Lordship suche thinges … as restith in my knowledg.

4

1547–64.  Bauldwin, Mor. Philos. (Palfr.), 151. In men we note audacitie, but commonly in women timerosity.

5

1647.  Sp. Ho. Com., 23 June, 1. The timorosity of Offending, the volubility of Scandal.

6