greatness

English

Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
(See the entry for greatness in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.)

Etymology

From Middle English gretnesse, gretnes, greetnesse, from Old English grēatnes, equivalent to great +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation
  • enPR: grātʹnəs, IPA(key): /ˈɡɹeɪtnəs/
  • Hyphenation: great‧ness
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun

greatness (countable and uncountable, plural greatnesses)

  1. The state, condition, or quality of being great
    Due to the greatness of his size, he was an effective bodyguard.
    greatness of mind
    • c. 1600, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night ACt 3 Scene 4
      Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.
    • 2012 June 29, Kevin Mitchell, “Roger Federer back from Wimbledon 2012 brink to beat Julien Benneteau”, in The Guardian‎, archived from the original on 15 November 2016:
      He showed his greatness when it mattered, but his occasional weakness too. All of a sudden there is doubt about his chances, after a seamless start. He has a lot to prove now, even if he will be buoyed by his effort.
  2. (obsolete): Pride; haughtiness.

Translations

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Anagrams
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