coldnessn.
/ˈkəʊldnɪs/ 1.
a. literal. The condition of being cold, cold quality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > [noun]
coldeOE
cheldec1000
kelda1350
coldnessc1400
algor?1440
algory1623
algidity1656
frigidness1727
algidness1731
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) i. §21. 13 Ȝif a planete be cold, thanne amenuseth his coldnesse, by-cause of the hote signe.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2730 Coldnes of a stoon.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde i. i. f. 1v Neyther the coldenesse of wynter is sharpe vnto them.
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. ii. 19 Redness, and Coldness, and the like, are only Idea's and Vital Passions in us that see and feel.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. iii. 247 The comparative coldness of the upper regions of the atmosphere.
b. In old Physiology: see cold adj. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > [noun] > in old physiology
coldness1398
frigidity1574
the world > life > the body > secretory organs > secretion > [noun] > fluid secretion > humours > specific humours
phlegmc1250
moisturea1387
melancholyc1390
cholera1393
black humoura1398
choleraa1398
melancholiaa1398
coldness1398
sanguineness1530
atrabile1594
combust choler1607
primary humour1621
black bile1634
cambium1634
yellow bile1634
kapha1937
pitta1937
dosha1959
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) iv. i. 76 Two of thyse qualytees ben callyd active, able to werke, hote and coldnesse; that other two, drye and wetenes, ben callid passive, able to suffre.
1528 T. Paynell tr. Arnaldus de Villa Nova in Joannes de Mediolano Regimen Sanitatis Salerni sig. F iiij b Suche wynes..amende the coldenesse of complection.
1642 J. Denham Cooper's Hill 13 While drinesse moysture; coldnesse heat resists.
2. figurative. Want of warmth of feeling or cordiality; indifference, apathy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > coldness or lack of warm feeling
coldOE
coldness1557
iciness1579
frost1600
frostiness1629
frigiditya1631
nun's flesh1637
chillness1639
froideur1645
chilliness1817
touch-me-not-ishness1836
chill1837
cold-heartedness1850
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [noun] > lack of affability
strangenessc1386
unhomelinessc1440
fremdnessa1500
coldness1557
coolnessa1586
self-guarda1586
diskindness1596
formality1599
reservedness1606
inaffability1611
restrainta1616
unconess1637
chillness1639
froideur1645
distance1660
starchedness1670
buckram1682
starchness?1693
starch1694
reserve1711
stiffness1717
unapproachableness1727
retirement1803
angularity1824
standoffishness1826
distancy1836
chill1837
starchiness1844
unapproachability1846
hedgehogginess1858
standoff1865
offishness1867
aloofness1878
pokerishness1880
untouchableness1909
untouchability1919
stuffiness1926
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 98 So hath your coldnesse caused me, To burne in my desire.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxxvi. 226 Coldnesse in affection and..backwardnes in duties of seruice.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 378 Dull not deuise by coldnesse and delay. View more context for this quotation
1709 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 8 Aug. (1965) I. 5 I cannot bear to be accused of coldness by one whom I shall love all my life.
1770 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) XIII. 47 Continue in private prayer, in spite of all coldness.
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times III. xxx. 7 The proposal was received with coldness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > self-possession or self-control > [noun]
repressiona1413
governailc1425
willc1480
self-rule1532
coldness1548
stay1556
presentness of mind1598
coolness1607
cold blooda1609
temper1611
self-discipline1612
retention?1615
presence of mind?1624
self-governance1630
retentiveness1641
self-command1651
self-mastery1652
self-control1653
self-direction1653
self-restraint1656
self-possession1665
possessednessa1698
self-regulation1698
possession1703
retenue1747
sang-froid1750
self-collection1761
render1768
self-collectedness1805
self-repression1821
self-containedness1835
unimpulsiveness1860
cool-headedness1881
sophrosyne1889
cool1964
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xv. f. 84 He might make the constancye and coldnes of the straunge woman more maruelous.
4. Of colouring; cf. cold adj. 15.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [noun] > coldness
coldness1859
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > [noun] > quality of colour > coldness
coldness1859
1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 225 Blue alone possesses entirely the quality technically called coldness in painting: yellows and reds partaking more or less of the opposite quality of warmth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
n.1398