a.
I hate the Moor: my cause is hearted. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ This word is chiefly used in composition; as, hard-hearted, faint-hearted, kind-hearted, lion-hearted, stout-hearted, etc. Hence the nouns hard-heartedness, faint-heartedness, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Earnestness; sincerity; heartiness. [ R. ] Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ See also the Note under Hearted. The analysis of the compounds gives hard-hearted + -ness, rather than hard + heartedness, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]