smoothnessn.
/ˈsmuːðnɪs/ 1.
a. The quality of being smooth or of having a smooth, level, or even surface; calmness (of water).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [noun]
smeethnessc1000
smoothnessc1374
slickness1667
sleekedness1693
slidnessa1758
sleekness1811
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [noun] > smooth sea
softnessc1275
smoothnessc1374
plain1566
hyaline1667
smooth1667
serene1772
sea level1873
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (1868) v. met. 4 166 Lettres emprentid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of þe table of wex.
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xvii. xx. 615 Boxe..for smothnesse of matere..is able to receyue wrytynge of letters.
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Lævitas, playnnesse or smothnesse.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. B3 His lofty browes in foldes, do figure death, And in their smoothnesse, amitie and life.
1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iv. xxv. 301 Smoothness, Roughness..refer to Figure, and are therefore common both to Touch and Sight.
a1688 R. Cudworth Treat. Eternal & Immutable Morality (1731) ii. iv. 61 Democritus..makes one of them to consist in Roughness and Ruggedness, the other in Smoothness and Evenness of Parts.
1774 M. Mackenzie Treat. Maritim Surv. 86 If the Card of the Compass can be made to stand at Rest in the Boat, either by Art, or the Smoothness of the Sea.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 31 The last degree of smoothness can only be obtained by grinding.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xv. 101 The water was of a glassy smoothness.
b. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. I2v Their [sc. women's] smoothnesse; like a goodly champaine plaine, Laies open all the little wormes that creepe. View more context for this quotation
1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim xv. 124 The roughness of your way and the asperities of mens manners, must not spoil the smoothness of your soul.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 67 A deficiency of moral energy, arising chiefly from the smoothness with which the current of social life runs down.
c. The fact of having a smooth or hairless skin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > [noun] > state of having no
smoothness1626
hairlessness1871
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §680 The Cause of the Smoothness in Men, is not any Abundance of Heat and Moisture, though that indeed causeth Pilositie.
d. A smooth place or part.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [noun] > smooth part or surface
smooth1551
planitude1598
levity1613
smoothness1674
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 86 The pieces of a body..are only clapt together at their little smoothnesses.
2.
a. Easy flow, elegance, or polish (of language, diction, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [noun] > fluency
profluence1568
flowing1584
slidingnessa1586
currentness1586
smoothness1589
facility1598
fluidity1603
fluency1636
profluencya1683
volubleness1727
torrentfulness1873
sonority1876
unrestraint1885
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. vii. 65 The smoothnesse of your words and sillables running vpon feete of sundrie quantities.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 8 In the very torrent..and as I may say, whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance, that may giue it smoothnesse . View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Dryden Let. to Sir R. Howard in Annus Mirabilis 1666 Pref. I affected the softness of expression, and the smoothness of measure.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 513 That verse, whatever fire the fancy warms, Without a creamy smoothness has no charms.
1836 Random Recoll. Ho. Lords xvi. 385 His sentiments and arguments flow from his lips with a smoothness and facility..seldom witnessed.
1885 Manch. Examiner 30 Mar. 5/4 The Cabinet, lulled to repose by the smoothness of Lord Clarendon's flowing periods.
b. Polish, refinement, ease (of manners, bearing, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > good manners or polite behaviour > polish or refinement of manners
urbanityc1475
policya1522
gesture1580
politure1593
polishedness1594
facetiousness1644
politeness1655
politesse1683
refinement1704
refinedness1711
polish1713
tournure1748
smoothness1832
1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. vi. 100 Judge for yourself if I be fit for the smoothness, and confidence, and ease of social intercourse.
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. ii. ii. 138 She acquired self-possession and the smoothness of society.
3. The quality of being bland, ingratiating, or plausible; assumed or simulated friendliness, civility, or amiability.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [noun] > agreeable behaviour > blandness or suavity
smoothnessa1616
suavity1815
blandness1846
suaveness1903
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [noun] > quality of being flattering
smoothnessa1616
blanditude1689
smooth-tonguedness1737
silkiness1832
oiliness1833
flatteringness1894
oleosity?1920
smarminess1934
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. iii. 76 She is too subtile for thee, and her smoothnes.., and her [printed per] patience, Speake to the people. View more context for this quotation
1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Maides Trag. iv. sig. I1 I want smoothnes To thanke a man for pardoning of a crime I neuer knew.
1845 G. P. R. James Arrah Neil I. iv. 68 Dry, of Long-soaken..was all smoothness and civility.
1858 W. Arnot Laws from Heaven ii. 22 Smoothness is not an equivalent for truth.
4. Easiness, facility (of working).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun]
lightnessa1382
easiness1398
lightsomeness?a1425
facility1531
readiness1579
easea1616
glibnessa1640
smoothness1893
1893 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (1907) 133 Many such devices work with great smoothness and certainty.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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