Definition of "inwardness"

The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.  examples

(obsolete)

1. The internal or true state; the essential nature.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • Sense cannot arrive at th’inwardness of things.

     1642, H[enry] M[ore], “(please specify the chapter)”, in ΨΥΧΩΔΙΑ [Psychōdia] Platonica: Or A Platonicall Song of the Soul, […], Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Roger Daniel, printer to the Universitie

2. Familiarity; intimacy.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • 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.

     1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i]

3. Earnestness; heartiness.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • The prophets perpetually reminded their nation of the superiority of judgment and justice to any exterior ceremony like sacrifice. […] [W]hat was wanted was more inwardness, more feeling. This was given by adding mercy and humbleness to judgment and justice.

     1873, Matthew Arnold, “Religion New-given”, in Literature & Dogma: An Essay towards a Better Apprehension of the Bible, London: Smith, Elder, & Co. […], section 1, page 83