Sadness, 1) sorrow, grief, dejection of mind: Ado I, 3, 4. LLL I, 2, 4. LLL I, 2, 4 Merch. I, 1, 6. I, 2, 54. As I, 1, 5. IV, 1, 20. Shr. Ind. 2, 34. John II, 546. H4B V, 2, 46. Troil. I, 1, 40. Rom. I, 1, 169. Hml. II, 2, 147. Cymb. I, 6, 62. V, 4, 162.
2) seriousness: “this merry inclination accords not with the s. of my suit,” H6C III, 2, 77. in s. or in good s. == in earnest: “therefore, in s., now I will away,” Ven. 807. “in good s., I am sorry that for my sake you have suffered all this,” Wiv. III, 5, 125. “ay, in good s., is he,” IV, 2, 93. “now, in good s., son Petruchio, I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all,” Shr. V, 2, 63. “in good s., I do not know,” All's IV, 3, 230. “tell me in s. who is that you love,” Rom. I, 1, 205.