English

Noun

inwardness ‎(countable and uncountable, plural inwardnesses)

1. The characteristic of being inward; directed towards the inside.
2. (obsolete) Internal or true state; essential nature.

   the inwardness of conduct

   Sense can not arrive to the inwardness of things. — Dr. H. More.

3. (obsolete) intimacy; familiarity
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 4 Scene 1

     BENEDICK. Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you:

     And though you know my inwardness and love

     Is very much unto the prince and Claudio,

     Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this

     As secretly and justly as your soul

     Should with your body.

4. (obsolete) heartiness; earnestness

   What was wanted was more inwardness, more feeling. — M. Arnold.

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