vastnessn.
/ˈvɑːs(t)nəs/, /ˈvas(t)nəs/, U.S. /ˈvæs(t)nəs/ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > wild or uncultivated land > [noun]
westerneOE
weste landOE
wastinea1175
westec1175
wastec1200
wildernc1200
wildernessc1200
wildernessc1230
warlottc1290
forestc1320
wastyc1325
deserta1398
wastern?a1400
wildnessa1513
the wilds of1600
vastness1605
vastacy1607
roughet1616
wild1637
wildland1686
bush1780
wastage1823
mesquite1834
wasteland1887
mulga1896
virgin bush1905
boondock1944
boonies1954
virgin land1955
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Hh2 Because their excursions into the limits of Phisicall causes, hath bred a vastnesse and solitude in that tract. View more context for this quotation
1642 E. Dering Coll. Speeches on Relig. 87 This Bill doth seem to me an uncouth wildernesse, a dismall vastnesse.
2. figurative.1602 B. Jonson Poetaster v. iii. sig. L The open vastnesse of a Tyrants Eare. View more context for this quotation1873 A. Helps Some Talk about Animals & their Masters i. 8 You will be able to appreciate the vastness of this area of cruelty.
a. The quality of being vast; immensity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [noun] > vast extent
widenessc1225
largenessa1400
ampleness1509
breadth1532
spaciousness1587
vastness1602
vastity1603
vastiditya1616
spaciosity1620
vastitude1623
latitude1650
immensity1797
1607 F. Beaumont Woman Hater iii. iii. sig. F1 Could the Sea throw vp his vastnesse, And offer free his best inhabitants.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 472 Scarse from his mould Behemoth biggest born of Earth upheav'd His vastness . View more context for this quotation
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 12 The swelling Surges menace the lowering Skies, leaving a Hollow where they borrowed their Gigantine Vastness.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho I. vi. 154 Emily gazed with enthusiasm on the vastness of the sea.
1838 A. De Morgan Ess. Probabilities 24 When we speak of the vastness, the regularity, and the permanency of the solar system.
1885 J. Ruskin Præterita I. vi. 199 The vastness of scale in the Milanese palaces..impressed me..at once.
b. Of immaterial things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > vastness of quantity or amount
hugenessc1380
huginess1559
past proportion1609
immenseness1610
vastnessa1640
enormity1792
vastitude1805
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Dddd3/1 You have blowne his swolne pride to that vastnes, as he beleeves the earth is in his fadom.
1658 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 77 The vastnesse of my affection.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xcv. 144 I look'd on these and thought of thee In vastness and in mystery. View more context for this quotation
1889 J. Ruskin Præterita III. iv. 146 The vastness of Scott's true historical knowledge.
3. A vast or immense space.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [noun] > vast extent > that which is
latitude?a1475
sea1585
ocean1590
vasture1596
vast1604
vastity1652
vastness1674
immense1791
breadths1839
vastitude1841
Atlantic1865
wide1916
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 61 The excellent Dr. Hen. More, whose soul may have roamed as far into these scopes and vastnesses as most mens in the world.
1855 H. W. Longfellow Hiawatha xii. 162 Then a voice was heard..Coming from the empty vastness.
1875 H. W. Longfellow Pandora vi Thunder and tempest of wind Their trumpets blow in the vastness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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