ness

[ nes ]
/ nɛs /

noun

a headland; promontory; cape.

Origin of ness

before 900; Middle English -nes(se) (in place names), in part continuing Old English næs, in part < Old Norse nes; akin to nose

Definition for ness (2 of 2)

-ness

a native English suffix attached to adjectives and participles, forming abstract nouns denoting quality and state (and often, by extension, something exemplifying a quality or state): darkness; goodness; kindness; obligingness; preparedness.

Origin of -ness

Middle English, Old English -nes, -nis, cognate with German -nis, Gothic -( n)assus; suffix orig. *-assus; -n- by false division of words with adj. and past participle stems ending in -n-; compare Old English efnes (later efen-nys) evenness

Example sentences from the Web for ness

British Dictionary definitions for ness (1 of 3)

ness
/ (nɛs) /

noun

  1. archaic a promontory or headland
  2. (capital as part of a name)Orford Ness

Word Origin for ness

Old English næs headland; related to Old Norse nes, Old English nasu nose

British Dictionary definitions for ness (2 of 3)

Ness
/ (nɛs) /

noun

Loch Ness a lake in NW Scotland, in the Great Glen: said to be inhabited by an aquatic monster. Length: 36 km (22.5 miles). Depth: 229 m (754 ft)

British Dictionary definitions for ness (3 of 3)

-ness

suffix forming nouns

indicating state, condition, or quality, or an instance of one of these greatness; selfishness; meaninglessness; a kindness

Word Origin for -ness

Old English -nes, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic -nassus