| 释义 |
kindness|ˈkaɪndnɪs|
Forms: see kind a.; also 5 kyndynes, kyndinesse.
[f. kind a. + -ness. (OE. had ᵹecyndnys in sense ‘generation, nation’; but the existing word is of later formation.)]
†1. Kinship; near relationship; natural affection arising from this. Obs.
c1425Wyntoun Cron. vii. viii. 228 Bathe kyn and kyndnes he foryhet. 1511–12Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 22 Preamble, The Kyng of Scottis..not regarding the kyndenesse and nigh aliaunce of your Grace. 1677Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 39 The engagements of kindness, blood, affinity, and relation.
†2. Sc. Natural right or title derived from birth or descent; the status of a kindly tenant. Obs.
1536Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821) I. 221 The nobillis of Britane gaif to Fincormak..all the landis of Westmureland and Cumber. with clame and kindnes thairof perpetually. 1574in Exch. Rolls Scotl. xx. (1899) 365 Forasmekill as I haif the present possessioun and kyndnes of the landis of Maristoun. 1578Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1814) III. 112 To sie that the saidis kyndlie tennentes be satisfeit for thair kyndnes.
†3. Natural inclination, tendency, disposition, or aptitude. Obs. rare.
a1400–50Alexander 1982 To ken þe to knaw my kyndnes here-eftir Bath my grace & my glori & my grete strenthe. Ibid. 4700 All ȝoure lefing & ȝoure lare, at ȝe so loude prayse, It comis bot of a kyndnes, & of na clene thewys. 1674N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 17 Either we want a kindness for the business..or else that we want respect enough for the Author.
b. Good natural quality or aptitude.
1834–43Southey Doctor cxliii. (1848) 367/1 Kindness of disposition in a beast, importing in their language, that it fattens soon. 1875Encycl. Brit. I. 171/1 A good loaf should have kindness of structure, being neither chaffy, nor flaky, nor crummy, nor sodden.
4. The quality or habit of being kind; kind nature or disposition, or the exhibition of this in action or conduct.
c1350Will. Palerne 321 [They] han al kindenes me kyd, & y ne kan hem ȝelde. 1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xx. 66 Is there in the no drope of kyndenesse? 1513More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 757 The common people, which oftentymes more esteme, and take for great kindnesse a little courtesye then a great benefite. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 52 Na tung sic kyndnes can expres. 1605Shakes. Macb. i. v. 18 Yet doe I feare thy Nature, It is too full o' th' Milke of humane kindnesse, To catch the neerest way. 1750Johnson Rambler No. 75 ⁋10 They..inflict pain where kindness is intended. 1871Smiles Charac. viii. (1876) 228 Kindness does not consist in gifts, but in gentleness and generosity of spirit.
b. With a and pl.: An instance of this; a kind act; † a benefaction (obs.).
c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 204/157 We ne beoth nouȝt so onkuynde, þat we it nellez ȝelde þe bliue For þe kundenesse þat þov to us come. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 441 The kyndenesse þat myne euene-cristene kidde me fernȝere. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 435 For þise sixe kyndenessis. c1440York Myst. xl. 149, I thanke youe of þis kyndinesse ȝe kydde me. 1588Shakes. Tit. A. v. iii. 171 Do him that kindnesse, and take leaue of him. 1608― Timon iii. ii. 22, I haue receyued some small kindnesses from him, as Money, Plate, Iewels. 1697W. Dampier Voy. I. 460 This Tide, which did us a kindness in setting us through. 1862Trollope Orley F. i. (1873) 8 All those numberless kindnesses which a lady with comfortable means and no children is always able to bestow.
†c. A benefit, an advantage. Obs. rare.
1727Bradley Fam. Dict., Belching is a Kindness to the Person whose Belly is fill'd with Wind, and when he can do it, he always finds some Relief by it.
5. Kind feeling; a feeling of tenderness or fondness; affection, love. Also, Good will, favour, friendship. Const. for († to). Now rare.
c1385Chaucer L.G.W. 665 (Cleopatra), But herkenyth ȝe that spekyn of kyndenesse..Here may ȝe sen of wemen which a trouthe. 1508Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 483 Sum kissis me; sum clappis me; sum kyndnes me proferis. 1662J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 126 Hence..the Muscovites love the Greeks, and have a kindnesse for them. 1667Pepys Diary 2 Sept., Sir C. Carteret..tells me he is sure he hath no kindness from the king. 1683Pennsylv. Archives I. 59 Unwilling to withdraw my kindness to the General Good. 1709Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Miss Wortley 21 Aug., It is not in my power..to hide a kindness where I have one. 1779–81Johnson L.P., Milton Wks. II. 87 He left the university with no kindness for its institution. 1807–8W. Irving Salmag. v. (1860) 112 A lady for whom he had once entertained a sneaking kindness.
†6. (See quot.) Obs.
a1603Moyses Mem. (1755) 43 Upon the 25th of June [1580]..the inhabitants of Edinburgh contracted a strange sickness, which was called Kindness.
7. Comb., as kindness-proof adj.
1692South 12 Serm. (1697) I. 514, I may truly say of the Mind of an Ungrateful person, that it is Kindness-proof. |