duchessness

English

Etymology

From duchess +‎ -ness.

Noun

duchessness (uncountable) (rare)

1. The quality of being a duchess.
   • 1979, The Contemporary Review, volume 235, page 306:

     It would make little difference to most of us now whether the Duchess of Portland or her stand-in had posed—except that both might be lacking in any abstract quality of ‘Duchessnesss’.

   • 2001 May 27, BetsyD, “Re: Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?”, in alt.med.fibromyalgia (Usenet), message-ID <3B11A335.E41085C6@ix.netcom.com>:

     Take tippy-top care of your Duchessness. / Hugs, / Bess / […]  / > With Love & Hugs, / > Rosie S. / > Demented Duchess

   • 2003 July 29, Mike Putnam, “Re: Duke of Sto Helit”, in alt.books.pratchett (Usenet), message-ID <2kgdiv41v9k2b8pfef3gqj254m9gd4ic58@4ax.com>:

     If she had a brother she wouldn't be a duchess, she'd just be a <*insert less nobby title for unnecessary sprogs of nobles after the succession has been assured by the birth of an older or male heir*>. / […] pTerry has asserted her accepted duchessness (e.g. her dealings with the Gaiters in Hogfather, for one) so I think that's definite in any case.

   • 2004, Katie MacAlister, The Corset Diaries, New American Library:

     By the time Sam swung the camera around to face me, I was pouring tea like I had been born to it. I even had enough wits about me to say, with much duchessness, “Thank you, Palmer, that will be all. I will ring if I need you.” / “As you like, Your Grace. I shall go attend to the many and varied duties which Your Graces have bestowed upon me.”

   • 2006, Philip S. Denry, The Elegant Eloquent Elephant Factory, →ISBN, page 92:

     With every button she pushed the Machine would sing: / bing / a dabbing dose of duchessness / a pretty princess knows / ring / can manner beauty beautifully / as growing sweetly show / zing / and brilliant the sight will be / when seeing does expose / fling / the graceful magnificents of love / for friendship’s vastness grows / wing / a stable set will stability make strong / the ties that bind to loving friends along.

   • 2009 March 18, the Omrud, “Re: Me and the Duchess, hangin' out”, in alt.usage.english (Usenet), message-ID <Zy6wl.484$OO7.164@text.news.virginmedia.com>:

     Does she get to keep the Duchessness, what with being divorced? Hmmmm, it appears that she does.

   • 2011 June, Mary Jo Putney, Never Less Than a Lady, Zebra Books, →ISBN:

     “Stand up, girl. Respect for your elders is all very well, but one duchess should never grovel to another.” / “I stand corrected.” Mariah rose, eyes dancing but voice demure. “But I am the newest and most inexperienced of duchesses. I can’t begin to match your...your duchessness.” / “You will in time,” her grace said grandly, but her lips quirked with amusement.