softnessn.
/ˈsɒf(t)nəs/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)nəs/, /ˈsɑf(t)nəs/ The state or quality of being soft (in various senses).
I. Senses corresponding to soft adj. I.† 2. Smoothness, calmness. Obsolete.
1. Ease, comfort; indulgence, luxury; easy or luxurious living. Now somewhat archaic.In Old English chiefly in the works of Ælfric.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [noun]
softnessOE
voluptuositya1380
voluptuoustya1382
delicacya1393
deliciousnessa1500
volupteousness1526
niceness1540
nicety1542
wealiness1545
luxe1558
voluptibility1631
luxury1633
voluptuousness1652
volupté1712
decadence1882
gracious living1892
vie de luxe1920
good life1937
dolce vita1961
sweet life1962
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xix. 331 For þi is nu selre cristenum mannum þæt hi mid earfoðnyssum & mid geswince geearnian þæt ece rice & þa ecan blisse..þonne hi mid softnysse [lOE Vesp. D.xiv softnesse] & mid yfelum lustum geearnion þa ecan tintregan mid eallum deoflum on hellewite.
OE Ælfric Let. to Sigefyrð (Vitell.) in B. Assmann Angelsächsische Homilien u. Heiligenleben (1889) 15 Under Moyses lage men moston lybban on maran softnysse and on geswæsum lustum, swiþor þonne nu.
a1225 ( Rule St. Benet (Winteney) (1888) iv. 23 Widsacæ swa hi sulfa, þæt hu fylȝa Crist; wyldon hire lichame; softnissan [OE Corpus Cambr. estmettas; L. delitias] næng beocleoppe; fæsten lufian.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 147 Þe flesch sput propreliche to wart sechnesse. eise. & softnesse.
c1390 W. Hilton Expos. Qui habitat & Bonum Est (1954) 68 (MED) Wisdam wol not be founden in..þe londe of soft liuynge, þat is, in þe herte of a fleschly mon lyuing in softnes of lust.
c1450 (c1400) Julian of Norwich Revelations Divine Love: Shorter Version (1978) 69 (MED) Than is he stirred..to slake the wrathe of god vnto the tyme he fynde a reste in saule & softnesse in conscience.
c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 86 To take hardnesse for softnesse, labour for ese.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) iv. §9. 17 I sall slepe..with all softnes.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. xii. f. 81 The Persians..were fallen from the rigorous kinde of life, to softnesse and deyntinesse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) v. i. 34 A Satyre against the softnesse of Prosperity. View more context for this quotation
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 181 If he live in the softness of Plenty, and a peaceful Estate.
1698 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus I. iii. xviii. 407 He spent the next year in Softness and Luxury.
1767 Ann. Reg. 1766 ii. 10 The French noblesse..spend their lives in indolence, softness, and dissipation.
1849 W. H. Stowell Lives Illustrious Greeks 160 The same man had been always accustomed to the softness of Athenian luxury.
1883 Fortn. Rev. July 117 A supra-feminine love of softness and splendour.
1922 B. I. Bell Good News iii. 23 He draws real men and real women,—..not those who delight in softness and ease.
2003 G. Topping Utah Historians iii. 184 There was a concomitant contempt for the softness and luxury of life in northern Utah.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [noun] > smooth sea
softnessc1275
smoothnessc1374
plain1566
hyaline1667
smooth1667
serene1772
sea level1873
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12751 Þa sæ sweuede. For þere soft-nesse [c1300 Otho sofnisse] Ardur [read Arður] gon to slæpen.
1634 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. Hist. New Test. (STC 12640.7) i. 134 He sets his foot upon the unquiet sea; not fearing either the softnesse, or the roughnesse of that uncouth passage.
3. With reference to sound: freedom from harshness, mellowness; (also) lowness in volume, quietness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [noun] > gentle quality
softness1636
mellowness1742
unstridulosity1871
1636 G. Wither tr. Nemesius Nature of Man x. 323 The sense of Hearing is employed about voices and sounds; and in them it discernes the shrilnesse, the basenesse, the softnesse [Gr. λειότητα; L. 1538 lenitatem, 1565 læuitatem], the harshnesse, and the loudnesse.
1736 Gentleman's Mag. June 351/1 To hear the softness of Italian song.
1784 J. Douglas Cook's Voy. Pacific II. iii. xiii. 266 One sung a very agreeable air, with a degree of softness and melody which we could not have expected.
1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. xxxii. 388 We readily distinguish not only the frequency of the vibrations of a sound, whether constant or variable, and its loudness or softness, but also the quality of tone.
1840 G. C. Lewis tr. K. O. Müller Hist. Lit. Anc. Greece I. iv. §5 That softness and flexibility [of Homer's language].
1885 M. E. Braddon Wyllard's Weird I. i. 22 She pronounced the last word with peculiar softness.
1907 Proc. Musical Assoc. 1906–7 128 She forthwith expired from the effects of hearing..[the organ's] beauty and softness of tone.
1914 Piano Mag. Mar. 142/2 He finds that the slightest difference in foot pressure gives him a different corresponding loudness or softness.
2014 Times of India (Nexis) 28 June The softness in her voice complements the lyrics.
4. Absence of hard or sharp outlines in a drawing, photograph,etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [noun] > indistinctness > absence of hard outline
softness1668
1668 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Idea Perfection Painting 51 The graceful Contoures of each individual member, judgement, and softness [Fr. delicatesse] in the Graving.
1735 Prompter 9 May Why should not a Picture, that has both Softness of Pencilling, and Truth of Nature, please more?
1768 W. Gilpin Ess. Prints iii. 76 The wash, of which the middle tint is composed, adds all the softness of drawing.
1855 D. T. Ansted in Orr's Circle Sci.: Inorg. Nature 186 The characteristic of this scenery will be softness of outline.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 711 In collotype work the especial aim..is to get softness with plenty of detail rather than hardness.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 84/2 (advt.) Fostoria's craftsmen have expertly achieved the delicacy and softness found only in etchings of great masters.
2009 J. Lewell Digital Photographer's Software Guide xiii. 164 It also offers several manual controls for adjusting color, dynamic range, softness, and grain.
5. Mildness of weather conditions, balminess.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > mildness
kindliness1654
clemency1667
softness1710
mildness1774
balminess1862
1710 Tatler No. 222 The first [Circumstance] I shall mention was the Softness of their Climate.
1766 J. Orton Mem. P. Doddridge ix. 346 The Fineness of the Day, the Softness of the Air,..gave him a fresh Flow of Strength and Spirits.
1837 B. Disraeli Venetia III. 107 The softness and the splendour of the morn.
1851 W. H. Dixon W. Penn vii. 219 The climate..had the balmy softness of the south of France.
1914 E. I. Barrington Life W. Bagehot ii. 42 A whiff from the sea, mingling with the delicious velvety softness of West Country air.
2008 H. Graham Death Dealer xvii. 260 Gen felt the softness of a breeze.
II. Senses corresponding to soft adj. II.† 7. The condition or quality of the pulse in which it is easy to compress or difficult to feel when palpated (typically regarded as a sign of low blood pressure). Usually in softness of the pulse (cf. soft adj. 10b). Obsolete.
6. The state, quality, or property of being soft to the touch or of yielding to pressure; lack of hardness, firmness, etc. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [noun]
neshnesseOE
softnessOE
softc1225
neshheadc1350
softheadc1350
tendernessa1387
teneritudec1440
tenerity1623
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1900) II. 272 Ða onscunede he þa softnysse þære seltcuðan beddinge, and læg on þære flora.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 83 Oli haueð huppen him lihtnesse and softnesse and hele.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxvii. 220 By smeþenes and softenes and naischenes [L. mollicie] of grustil.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. clxxx. 1074 A vyneȝerde..is plesynge to touche and to handelyng wiþ softenesse and smoþenesse [L. lenitate] of leues.
c1484 (a1475) J. de Caritate tr. Secreta Secret. (Takamiya) (1977) 147 (MED) The tokynys of a febyl stomak and of febyl dygestyon be þise..softnes, bolnyng of þe face.
1545 T. Raynald in tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. sig. G.iiv In saftnesse of skyn, and plumpnesse of the body fatter and rounder.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 66v The ripenesse whereof is deemed by..the softnesse of the berrie.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge ii. ii. sig. C4v Those now lawne pillowes, on whose tender softnesse [etc.].
1675 N. Grew Compar. Anat. Trunks ii. vii. 75 Its softness, depending on the numerousness..of the Air-vessels.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 355 All that warmth and softness which are so much valued in the furs of the northern animals.
1851 W. B. Carpenter Man. Physiol. (ed. 2) 5 In Organized structures, softness (resulting from the large proportion of fluid components) may be considered the distinctive quality.
1863 H. W. Bates Naturalist on River Amazons II. i. 56 One would mistake it..for a kitten, from..the softness of its fur.
1948 W. G. Combs & F. G. Smith Grain Grading Primer (U.S. Dept. Agric.) (rev. ed.) 16 Texture in wheat refers to the hardness or softness of the kernels.
2014 BusinessWorld (Nexis) 9 Sept. s2/6 Promoting both skin elasticity and softness, it has Vitamin E and collagen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered pulse or circulation > [noun] > other pulse disorders
rarity1583
softness of the pulse1632
concentration1714
tightness1785
organic pulse1822
bigeminy1904
1632 tr. G. Bruele Praxis Medicinæ 181 A swounding with softnes of pulse [L. cum pulsu languido], vnequall, inordinate, and slow, is the worst.
1741 J. Nihell New Observ. Predict. Crises by Pulse 44 The Silence of Prosper Alpinus does not absolutely exclude the Softness of the Pulse.
1794 in J. Hunter Treat. Blood, Inflammation, & Gun-shot Wounds ii. iii. 318 Softness is not to be depended on as a mark of health.
1813 J. Thomson Lect. Inflammation 73 A softness and fullness of the pulse.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. II. 25 Hardness and softness of the pulse, together with that vibratory thrill which has been called wireness [sic], are not quite so easily learnt as its fullness and smallness.
1928 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 11 Aug. 229/1 Galen..described the softness of the pulse and weakness of the heart as due to the softening of the heart and arteries caused by the dropsical fluid.
8. The property of water of containing a relatively low concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts; the amount or degree of this. Cf. soft adj. 25.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > water > [noun] > hardness or softness of
hardness1712
softness1712
permanent hardness1870
temporary hardness1895
1712 J. Morton Nat. Hist. Northants. iv. 267 In the Water of different Fountains, there are different Degrees of Softness or Hardness.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 487 All these waters, however, possess the property called softness, that is, they will dissolve soap.
1948 L. E. H. Whitby Nurses' Handbk. Hygiene (ed. 8) ii. 39 Rain-water..is insipid to the taste and is rarely used for drinking. On account of its softness it is excellent for washing.
2008 Jrnl. Human Resources 43 564 Infant mortality rates were positively correlated with water softness.
9. The degree to which magnetizable material may be magnetized by an ambient magnetic field. Cf. soft adj. 23.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > [noun] > magnetizing > capability of > but not retaining
softness1833
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > thermionic valve > [noun] > specific quality of
softness1833
softness1919
1833 London & Edinb. Philos. Mag. 3 122 One obvious circumstance which must modify the retaining power, is the quality of the iron and its degree of softness.
1900 Sci. Trans. Royal Dublin Soc. 7 121 The addition of 2 to 5½ per cent. of silicon to steel..increases the magnetic softness.
1980 Sci. Amer. Apr. 94/3 The magnetic ‘softness’ and high resistivity of glassy alloys also make them likely candidates for the ‘read’ and ‘write’ heads in magnetic tape recorders and magnetic disk memories.
2011 J. Wecker et al. in H. Czichos et al. Handbk. Metrol. & Testing x. 544/1 The magnetic softness or magnetic hardness of a material is a key factor for many applications.
III. Senses corresponding to soft adj. III.
10.
a. Mildness or gentleness of character or disposition; tenderness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > tenderness > [noun]
softnessa1200
softheadc1350
tendresse1390
consciencea1393
tendernessa1400
suavitude1512
soft-heartedness1571
tender-heartedness1607
meltingness1622
tenerity1623
tender1671
tendre1673
mild-heartedness1849
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [noun]
sweetnessc1000
mildnessOE
lithenessc1175
mildshipa1200
softnessa1200
mildheadc1300
softheadc1350
mansuetudec1390
tendresse1390
tendernessa1400
gentleness?c1400
mansuetiea1500
suavitude1512
treatableness1526
placability1531
lenity1548
pleasableness1556
mollity1562
fair1599
lenitude1627
placableness1647
unaggressiveness1870
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 137 (MED) Mid softnesse he castede þe sinfulle and minegede hem to sinbote.
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 59 (MED) Nu þenne þer aȝein ȝeoueð godd ower heorte, i softnesse, i swetnesse, in alles cunnes meoknesse.
c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) xliv. 6 (MED) Go forþe and regne in þy cumlichenes..For soþnes and softnes [L. mansuetudinem] and riȝtfulnes.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xlv. 4 In feith and softenesse [L. lenitate] of hym he made hym hoely.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cxliv. 7 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 270 Minde ofe mighthed ofe þi softnesse [L. suavitatis] Sal þai rifte.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 463 Softenesse, or myldenesse, mansuetudo, benignitas.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Phil. iv. 5 Lette youre softenes be knowen unto all men.
1563 Abp. E. Sandys in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1709) xxxv. 356 My Lenity and Softness was such, that..I was not willing to touch him.
1639 J. Saltmarsh Pract. Policie 239 As though it were more out of regard than your owne softnesse.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 298 For contemplation hee and valour formd, For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace. View more context for this quotation
1726 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxiii. 105 To softness lost, to spousal love unknown.
1779 Mirror No. 22 Sometimes..I have thought she breathed a softness of soul that tempted me to believe her generous.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 179 Are we to be slain in our own streets for the King's softness of heart?
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. i. i. 8 With her softness and musical speech.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. lxii. 193 I found with him..a softness of heart for which I had not looked.
1936 Washington Post 19 May x13/3 She must have a softness of manner, natural womanliness, sweetness and understanding.
2009 D. Vogts Snow melts in Spring, xl. 228 I heard the softness in her voice when she mentioned your name.
b. A display or instance of gentleness or tenderness. Also (in plural): soft words, blandishments.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > tenderness > [noun] > tender consideration or treatment > instance of
softnessa1382
tendre1705
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [noun] > display or instance of
softnessa1382
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xxxiv. 3 And here sory he swagyde with softnesseȝ [L. blanditiis].
a1637 B. Jonson tr. Horace Art of Poetrie 318 in Wks. (1640) III The free spectators..Were to be staid with softnesses [L. inlecebris].
1678 T. Otway Friendship in Fashion i. 10 Whispering his softnesses and making his vowes.
1719 E. Young Busiris i. 9 O how unlike the Softnesses of Love!
1736 S. Wesley Poems Several Occasions 286 You ask not sage Remarks on Courts or Kings, But dying Softnesses, and pretty Things.
1842 E. A. Park in W. B. Homer Writings 93 There is a class of the community who never will be reached by softnesses and delicacies of language.
1882 M. Oliphant Lit. Hist. Eng. I. 4 The rude and homely life, in which few softnesses existed.
1901 E. M. Nicholl By their Fruits iii. vi. 257 Those little softnesses, those half-truths, which to a woman sweeten the bitterness of loss.
2011 Times (Nexis) 21 Nov. 25 She had no truck with the softnesses of female sensibility.
c. A partiality or fondness for (a person or thing).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > liking or favourable regard > [noun] > particular liking or partiality
partiality?a1439
respect1528
respecting1574
like1612
peculiarity1687
feeling1750
softness1873
1873 San Francisco Chron. 8 Mar. 3/1 The morning Board shared a continued softness for all the Comstocks except Belcher and Crown Point.
1942 S. P. Mookerjee in A. Appadorai & M. Gwyer Speeches & Documents Indian Constit., 1921–47 (1957) I. 406 Your unabashed softness for the present Opposition Party is in marked contrast to the treatment we used to receive.
1979 Atlanta Jrnl. 11 Nov. 2 c/4 I tend to have a certain softness for Democrats but that may change.
2009 A. Locke Black Water Rising i. 7 Jay feels a sudden, unexpected softness for Jimmy's cousin.
11. Weakness of character or disposition, effeminacy; timidity, pusillanimity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > cowardice or pusillanimity > [noun] > quality of unmanliness
unmanheada1387
unmanhooda1413
softness1553
unmanliness?1575
1553 T. Paynell tr. St. Augustine 12 Serm. ix. sig. G.vv A man called uir, doth take his name of this worde, uirtus: and a woman called muliser, of thys worde mollities, that is, of softnesse and frayltye.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C3 From some weaknes of body, or softnes of spirit. View more context for this quotation
1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum ii. 27 By shunning death, he confesseth his weaknesse (or softnesse) of spirit.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 247 One great Design is to break the softness of a Nature, too indulgent to Flesh and Blood.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xiv. 288 The timidity and softness of our enemy.
1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) ii. ii. 62 In Bertram There is a hesitating softness, fatal To enterprise like ours.
1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie xxii A certain gentle indifference she showed to things considered important, the neighbours attributed to weakness of character, and called softness.
1913 T. Loveday & E. S. Forster tr. Physiognomonica in W. D. Ross tr. Aristotle Wks. VI. 808a. 10 Weak eyes may signify softness and effeminacy.
2015 G. Kawasaki Art of Start 2.0 (Electronic ed.) Won't a potential investor consider being charitable as a sign of softness?
IV. Technical or specialist senses. Cf. soft adj. IV.
12. Economics. With reference to prices, a market, etc.: a state of or tendency towards depression. Cf. soft adj. 26b.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading conditions > [noun] > supply and demand or market > state of the market > specific state of market
good cheapc1325
great cheapc1375
bust1842
softness1872
boom1875
sacrifice market1888
buyers' market1926
seller's market1934
society > trade and finance > management of money > management of national resources > [noun] > political economy > states or trends of the economy
inflation1821
economic cycle1832
recovery1843
downdraught1852
perfect competition1853
downturn1858
softness1872
slump1888
downtrend1890
sag1891
under-consumption1895
recession1905
downdrift1906
economic recession1908
air pocket1913
stickiness1913
trough1916
deflation1920
downswing1922
slowdown1922
scissors1924
scissors crisis1925
uptrend1926
reflation1932
depresh1933
upswing1934
stagnation1938
countercycle1944
fiscal cliff1957
turn-down1957
stagflation1965
soft landing1973
slumpflation1974
downer1976
1872 Commerc. & Financial Chron. 12 Oct. 482/2 We are making too many woolen goods... The long continued softness of the dry goods market testifies it.
1927 Commerc. & Financial Chron. 20 Aug. 961/1 When sterling is firmer a stronger tone develops in the entire European list. On the other hand when sterling reacts, softness develops in the rest of the list.
1930 Economist 27 Sept. 569/1 Apart from the recent weakness in grain and cotton prices, and softness in the copper market, the commodity price structure seems to be strengthening.
1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 25 Sept. b5/1 William S. Brewster, chairman, attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy.
2013 Austral. Financial Rev. (Nexis) 28 Mar. 52 The Reserve Bank of Australia has warned of softness in the Melbourne housing market.
13. Electronics. The state or quality of a thermionic valve in which the vacuum is weakened by the presence of a gas; the degree to which the vacuum in a thermionic valve is so weakened. Cf. soft adj. 32a. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > thermionic valve > [noun] > specific quality of
softness1833
softness1919
1919 R. D. Bangay Oscillation Valve 204 [A blue glow] is produced by the energy expended by the electrons as they collide with the atoms, and if noticeable is a certain indication of the softness of a valve.
1945 Electronic Engin. 17 338 The maximum value [of the grid leak resistance]..is limited by the danger of causing softness to develop in the succeeding valve.
1951 Proc. Physical Soc. B. 64 1050 Operation D often caused temporary softness in the valves.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.OE