Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
muchness. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
muchness, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
muchness in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
muchness you have here. The definition of the word
muchness will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
muchness, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English muchelnesse, michelnesse (“greatness, magnitude”), from Old English miċelnes, myċelnes (“greatness, size, mass, quantity, multitude, abundance, magnificence, great deed”), equivalent to much + -ness. Cognate with Old High German michilnessi (“greatness, magnitude”). Compare also mickleness.
Noun
muchness (countable and uncountable, plural muchnesses)
- Large size or bulk; bigness; size; magnitude (large or small).
- Greatness in quantity, number, amount, or degree.
- much of a muchness
Quotations
Three examples from The Diary of Samuel Pepys, all using the phrase the muchness of the business:
- 1666: the muchness of his business cannot suffer him to mind it, or give him leisure to reflect on anything — Entry 15 Aug 1666
- 1667/68: This troubled me so much as, together with the shortness of the time and muchness of the business, did let me be at it till but about ten at night — Entry 4 March 1667/68
- 1668/69: my head a little troubled with the muchness of the business I have upon me at present — Entry 27 March 1668/69
Anagrams