sprightnessn.
/ˈsprʌɪtnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈspraɪtnᵻs/ Now rare in British use.
Vigour, liveliness, animation; an instance of this; = sprightliness n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or liveliness
jollinessc1386
liveliheadc1425
quicknessc1425
vyfnes1475
ramagec1485
couragea1498
liveliness1534
spritec1540
livelihood1566
life1583
sprightliness1599
sprightfulness1602
ruach1606
sprightiness1607
sparkle1611
airiness1628
vivacy1637
spiritfulness1644
spirit1651
vivacity1652
spiritedness1654
brightness1660
sprightness1660
ramageness1686
race1690
friskiness1727
spirituousness1727
vivaciousness1727
brio1731
raciness1759
phlogiston1789
animation1791
lifefulness1829
pepper-and-salt1842
corkiness1845
aliveness1853
vitality1858
music1859
virtu1876
liveness1890
zippiness1907
bounce1909
zing1917
radioactivity1922
oomph1937
pizzazz1937
zinginess1938
hep1946
vavoom1962
welly1977
masala1986
1660 E. Warcupp tr. F. Schottus Italy i. 48 This Climat..enclines the ordinary sort [of men] to a certain Spriteness and aptness to all occupations and exercises.
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 136 A sort of mechanical..twitchings and animal sprightnesses which are..set on foot.
1854 Knickerbocker Feb. 210/2 Such a nimble sprightness.
1893 Med. Gleaner Dec. 282 It has a peculiarity in style dependent upon a certain sprightness, not common in the treatment of such grave themes.
1922 Teachers College Rec. Nov. 452 A delicate little story..highly romantic, yet dignified, and with a certain sprightness, suggesting its American origin.
1979 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 29 Jan. (Weekend Mag.) 19/1 The Miami Beach business district..has a certain resort-town sprightness—however trashy—in its architecture and signs.
2017 Moorabbin Kingston Leader (Australia) (Nexis) 12 Apr. (Sport section) 41 The young players..have bolstered the ranks and given the team the spriteness of youth to go with the wisdom of age.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1660