supineness

Noun

supineness (usually uncountable, plural supinenesses)

1. (usually) The state of being supine.
   • When he returned to understand how Fanny was situated, and perceive its ill effects, there seemed with him but one thing to be done, and that “Fanny must have a horse,” was the resolute declaration with which he opposed whatever could be urged by the supineness of his mother, or the economy of his...1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter IV, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 71
   • In the first dejected state of his mind upon the loss of Ellina, the future had presented but a sterile waste; a tranquil but languid repose at best seemed to await him—a torpid existence, a miserable endurance of life, when the soul, susceptible of an aching void, resigns itself to the supineness...1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter XVIII, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 232
2. (usually) Total submissiveness; flat on one's back, lacking any backbone; with total abandon; prostrate; supine
   • Instead, therefore, of addressing the legislature, or the magistrates, I shall endeavour to shew, that the evil does not rest with those who make, nor with those who are intrusted with the execution of, the laws; but that it has greatly increased in, consequence of the sinful supineness of...1812, William Hale, Considerations on the causes and the prevalence of Female Prostitution, and on the most practicable and efficient means of abating and preventing that, and all other crimes...
   • I can safely appeal to the magistrates for the truth of these statements; knowing how deeply they lament that sinful supineness, which has occasioned such an increase of depravity. (p. 32)1812, William Hale, Considerations on the causes and the prevalence of Female Prostitution, and on the most practicable and efficient means of abating and preventing that, and all other crimes...