exquisitenessn.
/ˈɛkskwɪzɪtnɪs/ The quality of being exquisite.† b. Scrupulous care; nicety, fastidiousness.† c. Consummate skill.
a. Elaborateness, high degree of finish, perfectness of detail; now usually, delicate perfection, refined and perfect beauty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [noun] > perfection of finish
exactness1564
exquisiteness1599
finish1801
1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1632) 18 The exquisitenesse [of their Religion consisting most] in an infinity of intricate dumb Ceremonies.
a1691 R. Boyle Hist. Fluidity ii, in Wks. (1744) I. 258/1 It is..difficult to procure..either glasses or marbles so much as approaching such an exquisiteness.
1823 C. Lamb Praise of Chimney-sweepers in Elia 254 The exquisiteness of the fun.
1884 Spectator 4 Oct. 1304/2 That dainty exquisiteness of utterance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [noun]
curiosityc1386
delicacya1393
curiousnessc1440
delicatesse1509
delicateness?1529
daintethness1548
exquisiteness?c1550
over-curiousness1573
featness1577
daintiness1579
dainty1590
finicality1594
niceness1604
squeamishness1654
fastidiousness1661
choicenessa1665
overnicety1664
finicalness1675
hypercriticism1678
overniceness1694
nicety1723
over-delicacy1745
daintihood1780
finickiness1833
finicism1844
over-criticism1859
overfineness1859
particularness1859
faddiness1865
finicking1869
picksomeness1881
pernicketiness1890
perfectionism1937
choosiness1945
pickiness1952
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 78 The same exquisitenes in banquitinge did from thence discend unto our time.
1673 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd II. 370 Suetonius describes..Augustus his heriditary exquisiteness in that particular [propriety of language].
1772 E. Burke Corr. (1844) I. 377 In public life, it will be necessary to avoid the exquisiteness of an over-attention to small parts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > supreme skill
archemastry1477
exquisiteness1622
excellency1693
1622 F. Markham Five Decades Epist. of Warre ii. v. 59 The [drummer's] exquisitenesse and skilfulnesse in his Art and Instrument.
d. Of pleasure or pain: Refined degree, acuteness, intensity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun]
highnesseOE
strengthOE
altitude?a1475
vehemence1535
vehemency1546
profundity1565
height1601
profoundness1612
depth1624
intensenessa1631
exquisiteness1650
eminence1651
intensivenessa1656
intensity1665
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 345 The exquisiteness of his bodily temper, increasing the exquisiteness of his torment.
1750 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 775 This man unable to bear the exquisiteness of the pain, accused..Sir Gervase Clyfton.
1832 in N. Webster Dict. Eng. Lang. ; and in mod. Dicts.
e. Of the senses, taste, judgement, etc.: Delicate sensibility.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > capacity for emotion > sensitiveness or tenderness > [noun]
feeling?c1400
tendernessc1440
heart1557
nicety1583
toucha1586
apprehension1605
tender-heartedness1607
sensibility1609
sensibleness1613
acuteness1644
exquisiteness1650
susceptivity1722
sensation1744
soul1748
susceptibility1753
sensitivity1773
sensitiveness1788
affettuoso1791
sensibilité1817
soulfulness1842
mild-heartedness1849
susceptiveness1873
sensitivism1877
tender-mindedness1907
1650 [see sense d].
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 26 Which will try the exquisiteness both of your Glass and Eye to behold.
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man i. ii. 115 The different Degrees of Exquisiteness in the Sense of Feeling.
1790 T. Bewick Hist. Quadrupeds (1807) 346 The Beagle..follows by the exquisiteness of its scent.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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