elegantness

English

Etymology

From elegant +‎ -ness.

Noun

elegantness (uncountable)

1. (uncommon) Elegance.
   • 1576, Abraham Fleming, “To the well disposed Reader”, in Of Englishe Dogges, the Diuersities, the Names, the Natures, and the Properties. […], London: […] Rychard Johnes, […], published 1880 May:

     In the whole discourse wherof, the booke, to consider the substaunce, being but a pamphlet or skantling, the argument not so fyne and affected, and yet the doctrine very profitable and necessarye, he vseth such a smoothe and comely style, and tyeth his inuention to such methodicall and orderly proceedings, as the elegantnes and neatnesse of his Latine phrase (being pure, perfect, and vnmingled) maketh the matter which of it selfe is very base and clubbishe, to appeare (shall I say tollerable) nay rather commendable and effectuall.

     • 1880 July 21 [1576], Abraham Fleming, “[Of English Dogs, the diversities, the names, the natures, and the properties. […]] To the well disposed Reader.”, in Edward Arber, An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature, volume III, London: […] E. Arber, […], pages 228–229:

       In the whole Discourse whereof, the book, to consider the substance, being but a pamphlet or scantling; the argument not so fine and affected, and yet the doctrine very profitable and necessary, he useth such a smooth and comely style and tieth his invention to such methodical and orderly proceedings, as the elegantness and neatness of his Latin phrase (being pure, perfect, and unmingled) maketh the matter, which of itself is very base and clubbish, to appear, shall I say, tolerable; nay, rather commendable and effectual.

   • 1678, [Madeleine de Scudéry (indicated as George de Scudery)], translated by J[ohn] Davies, Clelia, an Excellent New Romance: […], London: […] H. Herringman, D. Newman […], part III, book I, page 268, column 2:

     Yet (added ſhe and bluſht) to be exactly vertuous, and alſo prudent, I ought before I marry him, to ſacrifice unto my revenge all that remains of the perfidious Herminius. I never could do’t till now: but now both vertue and reaſon command it, and notwithſtanding all the elegantneſs of his letters, verſes, and tenderneſs towards me, I muſt deprive my ſelf of them for ever.

   • 1705?, “Peter Acklam”, in William Anderson Gunnell, compiler, Sketches of Hull Celebrities: or Memoirs and Correspondence of Alderman Thomas Johnson, (Who Was Twice Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull,) and Four of His Lineal Descendants, from the Year 1640 to 1858. […], Kingston upon Hull: […] Walker & Brown, […] William Anderson Gunnell, […], published 1876, page 317:

     But Eloquentneſs ofte Faileth in its Intente at an Electione, an’ never more theyn it did at Hull, when Peter Acklam was a Candidate. For Fluentneſs o’ Speache an’ Elegantneſs o’ Style th’ Town did not hav’ a Candidate to match him—no not in th’ memorie o’ th’ eldest Inhabitor.

   • [1730, N[athan] Bailey, Dictionarium Britannicum: Or a More Compleat Universal Etymological English Dictionary than Any Extant, London: […] T. Cox […]:

     E´legantness [elegantia, L.] elegancy.]

   • 1810 August 23, Andrew Reed, Memoirs of Francis Barnett, the Lefevre of “No Fiction:” and a Review of That Work. With Letters, and Authentic Documents., volume II, London: […] F. Barnett, […], published 1823, page 108:

     The most remarkable buildings are, the University, Exchange, a Monument to Nelson, the Custom House and the Bank; the last named building exceeds our Bank, in beauty of architecture, and elegantness of decoration.

   • a. 1820, Robert Watt, “CICERO, Marcus Tullius”, in Bibliotheca Britannica; or A General Index to British and Foreign Literature, volume I (Authors), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Company, Edinburgh; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, & Green; and Hurst, Robinson & Co., London, published 1824, column 228 s:

     There were two editions of this printed in the same year, by Spira. The first of which is the first production of his press, and the earliest work printed at Venice; these are two of the best impressions of their time for elegantness, neatness, and regularity in the types and workmanship.

   • 1866 June 7, Dodgeville Chronicle, volume IV, number 38, Dodgeville, Wis., front page, column 3:

     The Lady’s Friend.—This superior magazine for June, leads off with a suggestive steel plate called “The Mother’s Blessing,” illustrating a romantic story. The fashions are distinguished as usual for elegantness and appropriateness. Airily graceful and delicately gay, they befit the month of roses, of summer skies, and soft south winds.

   • 1887 July 2, Harry W. Frost, editor, Saturday Evening Lance, volume V, number 27, Topeka, Kan., page [4], column 3:

     marvel of elegantness. Syracuse Journal. Through the courtesy of editor Harry W. Frost, we have received a souvenir number of the Topeka Lance, published by him at the capital city. It is a marvel of elegant compostion^[sic] and completeness.

   • 1889 May 7, “Amusements”, in The Evening Item, volume XII, number 109 (whole 40,321), Richmond, Ind., page [3], column 3:

     He deleneates^[sic] the sense and sentiment of the great Bard’s lines with such forcible elegantness as to show him more than ordinarily capable as a Shakesperian reader.

   • 1890 March 15, “House of Calamities: The Tragic History of the House Where the Blaines Live. […]”, in Daily St. Paul Globe, volume XII, number 74, Saint Paul, Minn., page 6, column 1:

     At the northeast corner, on the east side of the square, is the old house that was once the home of “Dolly” Madison, famous as well for the brilliancy of the wife of the secretary of state, who was afterwards president, as for the elaborateness and elegantness of the entertainments that marked the career of the gifted Madison.

   • 1893 November 2, “Said in Society. The Elites’ Inaugural German Last Evening—Brilliant Affair.”, in The Montgomery Advertiser, volume XXII (new series)/LXIII (old series), number 84, Montgomery, Ala., page 2, column 5:

     Many superb gowns were worn and admired for their elegantness and fit.

   • [1896, Adams Sherman Hill, The Principles of Rhetoric, new edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers […], pages 21 (Part I.—Composition in General. Book I.—Grammatical Purity. Chapter I.—Good Use.) and 410 (Index):

     Under this rule, Dr. Campbell expressed (in 1750) his preference for delicacy, authenticity, and vindictive, over delicateness, authenticalness, and vindicative,—decisions which have been sustained by time. Aversion has supplanted averseness; artificiality, artificialness; scarcity, scarceness. Among and while have almost supplanted amongst and whilst. Under this rule, such words as elegantness, amiableness, mercinariness,^[sic] practicableness, are to be avoided. […] Elegantness, to be avoided, 21.]

   • 1900 July 5, “No Nomination Yet. The Convention a Fussy One. Finally Adjourns to This Morning. Considerable of a Hill Hurrah.”, in Charlotte Daily Observer, Charlotte, N.C., front page, column 1:

     The platform itself presents evidence of elegantness and is for more elaborate than the counterpart at Philadelphia.

   • 1901, The Black Diamond, volume 26, National Coal Exchange, page 837:

     […] the elegantness and beauty of features outside, etc.

   • 1902 May 17, Schoonmaker & Co., “Have You Seen the New Ping Pong Stock?”, in The Morning Call, volume XL, number 116, Paterson, N.J., page 2, column 2:

     NECKWEAR AND HOSIERY sold here find favor for their superior quality and elegantness of design.

   • 1903 January 28, “Frank & Brown”, in The Winston-Salem Journal, volume VI, number 269, Winston-Salem, N.C., page [6]:

     CARPET BEAUTY is seen here in all the elegantness, and large range of colors and patterns.

   • 1903 August 3, “An Elegant Luncheon: Given At Pleasant Home On Saturday Afternoon”, in Latrobe Bulletin, volume I, number 191, Latrobe, Pa.: Latrobe Printing and Publishing Co., front page:

     Although gotten up impromptu, the luncheon was marked with all tastiness and elegantness of all of Mrs. Saxman’s entertainments and the afternoon proved a decidedly pleasant one to all those present.

   • 1904 April 7, “Ottawa University”, in S. M. Brown, R. K. Maiden, editors, The Word and Way: A Weekly Baptist Journal, volume 8, number 41, Kansas City, Mo., page 10, column 1:

     The next morning after the anniversary commemoration the window shades were removed and highly polished, golden oak venetian curtains hung. This gives to the hall a more massive and stately appearance and makes it a room of original and distinct elegantness.

   • 1905, The Railway Clerk, volumes 4–5, Order of Railway Clerks of America, page 220, column 1:

     Now, to make some one of our members sorry for not going along with No. 27 to Camden. So much “elegantness” never was. If you had seen that notable body of representatives, envy and pride would both have held sway in your heart. Why when they landed at Camden depot, even the ferry whistles blew, and so did the wind. […] It was a grand affair in every way.

   • 1999, Ming Qing Yanjiu, →ISSN, page 211:

     The so-called “elegantness” means attaching great importance to rhetoric in the creation of poetry. Wu Meicun was renowned for the rich employment of diction, and bold application of color in his poems, each of which was polished with flowery language, and was indeed gorgeous and pleasant to read.