inwardness

plural inwardnesses

1. countableuncountableThe characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.
2. countableobsoleteuncountableThe internal or true state; the essential nature.

   the inwardness of conduct

   1 more example

   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, →OCLC

   Synonyms: crux, gist, bowels, sum, brass tacks, core, crux, essence

3. countableobsoleteuncountableFamiliarity; intimacy.

   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, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

4. countableobsoleteuncountableEarnestness; heartiness.

   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. […], →OCLC, section 1, page 83