mirability

English

Etymology

Probably from Latin mīrābilitās.

Noun

mirability (uncountable)

1. (rare, literary) Marvellousness.
   • 1650, Moses à Vauts, “Practical Knowledge relating to the Husbands Power. Sharpest Correction consistent with choicest Affection. 1. In Christ.”, in The Husband’s Authority Unvail’d; wherein It Is Moderately Discussed whether It Be Fit or Lawfull for a Good Man, to Beat His Bad Wife. […]‎^[1], London: […] T. N. for Robert Bostock […], via Early English Books Online 2, →OCLC, pages 35–36:

     [H]is Positive, tender and pleasing Love; his privative, tart and punitive Love. The former (being not disputed, for it is his proper Ensign) these few Texts do briefly yet clearly display, viz. in its freeness, fervency, mirability, constancy and eternity.

   • 1670, Oswald Crollius, translated by “a Lover of Chymistry”, “Royal Chymistry”, in Bazilica Chymica, & Praxis Chymiatricæ or Royal and Practical Chymistry […], London: […] John Starkey […] and Thomas Passinger […], →OCLC, page 176:

     The Magnet draws Iron, each of theſe is affected in it ſelf in a wonderful manner, but who hath been ſo ingenious at any time, that of this mirability could render the true and eſſentially infallible Reaſon and of that which onely (and κυρίως) cauſeth this effe[c]t?

   • 1677, T. M., “To every Sea-man sailing Heavenward”, in John Flavel, Navigation Spiritualized: or, A New Compass for Sea-men, […], London: […] J. C. for Thomas Fabian, […], →OCLC, signature [A8], recto:

     THe Art of Navigation (by which Iſlands eſpecially are enriched, and preſerved in ſafety from Forenſical Invaſions, and the wonderful works of God in the great Deep, and Foreign Nations are moſt delightfully and fully beheld, &c.) is an Art of exquiſite excellency, ingenuity, rarity, and mirability: […]

   • [1721, N[athan] Bailey, “MIRABILITY”, in An Universal Etymological English Dictionary: […], London: […] E. Bell, J. Darby, […], →OCLC, column 2:

     MIRABILITY, [mirabilitas, L[atin]] admiration.]

Related terms

• admirability
• mirable