Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Plainnes, n. Also: -ness(e; playnnes; playnes, planes(s. [ME. and e.m.E. pleynnesse (Chaucer), plainness(e, playnnes(se; pleynes(se (14th c.), plain-, playnes(se flatness, smoothness, evenness; openness; clearness; simplicity; etc., OF. plainesse, planece flatness, smoothness.]

1. a. Openness of conduct or intention, honesty, straightforwardness, absence of deceit. b. Frankness, forthrightness, of expression. 1513 Lett. James IV 304.
[James has spoken frankly to the English ambassador,] schewin him the playnnes of oure mynd 1570 Leslie 90.
We write to yow … the playnes of our mynd 1594 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 101.
Appardone me, madame, for so long approued freindship requyris a rounde plainnes 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 19/18.
I haue no targe to oppone but plainnesse c1610 Melville Mem. 6.
Princes wha getis the fruit of our labours lykis not to hear of planess bot of plaisant speaches

2. Manifestness, certainty (of proof). 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 84.
In mair wordis than neidit, the planenes of the proues considderit