highnessn.

Brit.

/ˈhʌɪnᵻs/, U.S.

/ˈhaɪnᵻs/

Forms: early Old English haehnis, early Old English hehnis (Mercian), Old English hænis (Mercian), Old English heahnes, Old English heahnynysse (accusative, transmission error), Old English heahnys, Old English heahnyss, Old English heanes, Old English heanis (chiefly Anglian), Old English heannes, Old English heannis, Old English heannys, Old English hegnys (rare), Old English heonis (Northumbrian), Old English heonnys (rare), Old English hiehnys (rare), Old English–early Middle English hehnes (rare), late Old English heachnes (Kentish), late Old English heænes (Kentish), late Old English heænnes (Kentish), late Old English heahnis, early Middle English heahnesse, early Middle English heahnysse, early Middle English heanysse, early Middle English hechnesse, early Middle English hegnesse, early Middle English hehnesse, early Middle English hehnisse, early Middle English heihnesse, Middle English eȝenes, Middle English eghnes, Middle English heȝenes, Middle English heghenes, Middle English heghnes, Middle English heghnesse, Middle English heȝnes, Middle English heȝnesse, Middle English heienesse, Middle English heiȝnesse, Middle English heinesse, Middle English henes, Middle English heyȝnes, Middle English heygnesse, Middle English heyȝnesse, Middle English heynes, Middle English hienesse, Middle English highenesse, Middle English hiȝnes, Middle English hiȝnesse, Middle English hihenesse, Middle English hihnes, Middle English hihnesse, Middle English hinesse, Middle English hyenes, Middle English hyȝenesse, Middle English hyghenesse, Middle English hyȝnes, Middle English hynes, Middle English 1600s heynesse, Middle English–1500s heighnes, Middle English–1500s hyenesse, Middle English–1500s hyghnesse, Middle English–1600s highnes, Middle English–1600s highnesse, Middle English–1600s hyghnes, Middle English– highness, 1500s heignes, 1500s hignes, 1500s–1600s hygnes, 1600s highenes, 1600s hignesse; Scottish pre-1700 hechnes, pre-1700 heenes, pre-1700 heghnes, pre-1700 heichnes, pre-1700 heighnes, pre-1700 heighness, pre-1700 heihnes, pre-1700 heines, pre-1700 henas, pre-1700 henes, pre-1700 heychnes, pre-1700 heyghnes, pre-1700 heynes, pre-1700 hichnes, pre-1700 hieghnes, pre-1700 hienace, pre-1700 hienes, pre-1700 hienis, pre-1700 highnes, pre-1700 hines, pre-1700 hyechnes, pre-1700 1700s– highness, pre-1700 1800s heichness.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to Old High German hōhnissa height < the Germanic base of high n.¹ + the Germanic base of -ness suffix. Compare Anglo-Norman haltesce and Old French hautece physical height, high rank (see hautesse n.).In Old English, before the initial n of the suffix the stem-final fricative of the first element is regularly lost, as in West Saxon hēanes , Anglian (without smoothing) hēanis . However, from early on the first element frequently shows formal influence of the uninflected stem of high n.¹ Forms showing doubling of n , such as West Saxon heannes , probably reflect assimilation of the analogically restored fricative to the n of the suffix. In other Germanic languages formations of the type shown by highhead n.¹ are used to express similar aspects of high position, both literally and figuratively, e.g. Middle Dutch hoochheit, Middle Low German hōchēt, hōcheit, Old Swedish höghhet, and (only in sense ‘exaltedness, nobility’) Middle High German hōchheit.

a. The fact or condition of being high with regard to physical position; high altitude or elevation; (also) greatness of physical height; tallness. Formerly also: †measurement from the base or foot upwards; stature (obsolete). Now somewhat rare.height is now the more usual term.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > majesty, glory, or grandeur > [noun]

athelc885

highnesseOE

brightnessOE

thrumOE

worshipOE

highship?c1225

nobleyec1300

pridec1330

realtya1375

rialtya1375

greatnessc1384

nobletya1387

magnificencec1390

regalya1393

greatheada1400

hautesse1399

lordliness1440

celsitudec1450

excelsitudec1470

state1488

princeliness1545

kingliness1548

royalty1548

amplitudec1550

grandity1589

grandeur1600

glory1613

majesticalness1613

augusteity1615

grandezza1629

augustness1644

raisedness1645

celsity1656

splendidnessa1657

grandness1663

exaltedness1730

halo1813

queenliness1831

aureole1852

magnateship1916

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun] > above a certain level > great or considerable

highnesseOE

heighta1400

tallness1535

excelsity1623

precipice1650

celsitude1678

loftiness1781

eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) li. 397 Sio heanes [L. altitudo] ðonne ðara munta getacnað ða clænnesse ðære forhæfdnesse.

OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) ii. i. 70 We ne magon hig [sc. the firmament] næfre geseon for þære fyrlenan heahnysse.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 274 Maudeleine þet spaleð tures hechnesse.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xiii. 193 Þat it passe nouȝt de[w] [MS þe] maner in lenkþe and brede and hyenes.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11672 Þe heȝenes of þis tre.

a1500 Rule Minoresses in W. W. Seton Two 15th Cent. Franciscan Rules (1914) 92 We wole of alle þinge þat þe ȝate be of hihenesse þat þer may nat come þer to but wiþ a ladder.

?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. xvii. sig. Eiij^v It is also to be wayed how this difference of highnesse and lownesse is to be accompted.

1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xxiii. 139 A mount of great highnesse and sharpnesse.

1652 F. Kirkman tr. A. Du Périer Loves Clerio & Lozia 108 Pattins, which render our highness and stature both alike.

1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. iii. 137/2 Geometrical Terms for their Plots, Figures, [etc.]. Sublimities, the heights or highness of things.

1720 E. R. Experienc'd Farrier (ed. 4) i. 15 Let his Shape be tall, broad and well furnish'd, not gross with much Flesh, but with the highness of his Bones.

1799 R. Brown Gen. View Agric. W. Riding Yorks. App. 11 The soil is barren moor, and perfectly unimproveable, unless planting will answer, which, from the highness of the situation, is very doubtful.

1803 A. Dalmazzoni Antiquarian vii. 124 The breadth of the four fronts of the Pyramid at the bottom is 98. feet; and its highness..123.

1840 J. Smith tr. Bk. of Mormon (ed. 3) xx. 352 The Lamanites could not get into their forts of security..because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up.

1895 Univ. Virginia Mag. Oct. 23 His sight was vantaged by the highness of the tower.

1911 Resources of Tennessee Dec. 225 The highness of the White Oak Ridge is due partly to this characteristic of the Fort Payne.

1954 H. Arnow Dollmaker xxiii. 319 As always she pondered on the highness of the north star here compared to home.

2003 C. Harris Club Dead (Electronic ed.) I had a time getting into Alcide's truck, what with the shortness of the dress and the highness of the heels.

†b. The highest region or part of somewhere or something (esp. heaven); a high place or position; a height, top, summit. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > high place or part

highnesseOE

highOE

altitude?a1475

haut1502

excelse1610

eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) cxlviii. 1 Laudate eum in excelsis : hergad hine in heanissum.

OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) iv. 5 Þa gebrohte se deofol hine on þa halgan ceastre & asette hine ofer þæs temples heahnesse [L. pinnaculum].

c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 177 Uten we..earniæn mid gode dæde þæt we on heahnesse stiȝæn mote[n].

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 111 Siððen he is buuen alle hegnesse, hwider sholde he stige?

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. ii. 602 [Out and] fro so greet hiȝnesse he[o] seeþ a smal fische swymme in þe see.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. xliv. 1 Putte thou the money of ech in the hiȝnesse [a1450 Corpus Cambr. heiȝthe; a1382 E.V. kop; L. summitate] of the sak.

a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. ccxli/1 In the hyghenesse of heuen he had seen a douue.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xciv. §4. 341 The heghnessis of hilles ere his.

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 190 Of whose sede, the hyenesse of goddes mounte flowreth with fayre blossomes.

1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum (new ed.) sig. A3^v These sparkes by nature euermore aspire, Which makes them to so high an Highnesse flee.

?1624 G. Chapman tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 129 All Tops of Hills, and cliffie Highnesses: All Siluan Copses, and the Fortresses Of Thorniest Queaches.

1657 J. Trapp Comm. Ezra (Job xi. 1) 104 The highnesses of heaven (so the Hebrew hath it) which is so high, that one would wonder we should be able to behold the starry skie.

a. With reference to people: high rank or status. Also: superiority of character, thought, or behaviour; nobility, dignity; moral excellence.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun]

highnesseOE

dignityc1230

worshiphead1340

gentryc1390

heighta1400

rank?c1430

portc1475

affair1480

stateliness1548

character1629

sublimitya1656

station1706

rate1707

elevatedness1731

tchin1861

eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) ii. ix. 126 Gif he þære tiide ærmþa biswicade & to heannisse cynerices [L. ad regni fastigia] becwome.

OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Hatton) (1900) Pref. 6 Þonne ic sceawige þara [manna] heahnysse & rihtwisnesse [L. culmen], ic geþence, hu swiðe ic sylf licge on þysum nyðerlican þingum.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8825 (MED) Biuore alle oþere, god him ȝef þre þinges, richesse, & wisdom & maistrie, & þis was gret heinesse.

a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 42 Þus siche false presumpcioun of heynes of state.

a1450 in J. Evans & M. S. Serjeantson Eng. Mediaeval Lapidaries (1933) 26 (MED) Þe whitnes signifieth þe highnesse of the Trinite.

1494 W. Hilton Scala Perfeccionis (de Worde) ii. xl. sig. q iiii Hyghnes of thoughte & onlynes of soule: a lyfly felynge of grace & pryuyte of herte.

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Giv^v He is set in greit power and henes.

1577 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. Ephesians xlv. f. 320^v Wee haue iust cause too glory, notwithstanding that wee be of lowe degree. For wee haue a hyghnesse whereby God exalteth vs aboue all the world.

1601 R. Johnson Ess. xiv. sig. G3^v To despise iniuries of honour nobly, and with an highnes of mind: for contumelies not regarded vanish of themselues into obliuion.

1646 J. Whitaker Danger of Greatnesse 20 Uzziah..doted upon his highnesse.

1729 W. Hatchett tr. G. B. Comazzi Morals Princes vii. 100 He that wou'd know how far he ought to raise his Fortune at Court, after having weigh'd the Highness of the Station, let him measure how great the Distance is between that, and the Precipice.

1797 Mental Tooth-pick for Fair Sex 58 She who feels impulsive elation from the highness of her birth, or the rank of her family, ought to annex to each of these articles, their natural significance.

1831 J. Noble Orientalist v. 74 In his manners he exhibited the effects of..the highness of his caste, being that of a Brahmin.

1889 Centennial Mag. (Austral.) May 726/2 The highness of his birth, his strength, his bravery and skill.

1918 M. Cunliffe-Owen Keystone of Empire viii. 212 A man whose highness of mind and fairness of judgment were proverbial.

2010 J. Petersen Unclaimed Duchess x. 154 The other man had no rank, though he did have standing in Society due to the highness of his family.

b. Chiefly with capital initial and with possessive, as His (Her, Your, the King's, etc.) Highness: an honorific title or form of address given to a person of royal rank. Frequently with modifying word, as Royal, Imperial, Serene (see Royal Highness n. at royal adj. and n. Compounds 1, serene adj. 4), etc. Occasionally also as a mock title.‘His (or Her) Highness’ was formerly one of the titles given to English kings and queens, varying with ‘Grace’ (see grace n. 8), and later with ‘Majesty’ (see majesty n. 2). In the Dedication of the King James version of the Bible to James VI and I (see quot. 1611), Highness and Majesty are used indiscriminately, as they had been in reference to James' predecessor Elizabeth I; but later in his reign Majesty became the official style used in addressing or referring to the monarch. Highness was also used by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and his wife.For a note on grammatical agreement with Your Highness see majesty n. 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun] > titles applied to royalty > for a prince

highness?1406

serenitya1525

sereneness1728

?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle l. 419 in E. P. Hammond Eng. Verse between Chaucer & Surrey (1927) 66/1 Lo lat my lord the Fourneval..þat now is tresoreer From thyn Hynesse haue a tokne or tweye To paie me þat due is for this yeer.

1420 in Facsimiles National MSS (1865) I. 39 More can I not write to yowr hynesse at this tyme.

a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 118 His creauncers shul..defame his highnes off mysgouernance.

1529 T. Wolsey in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 11 This Kyndnes exibite from the Kyng's hyghnes.

1571 Act 13 Eliz. c. 29 §1 Within the Queenes Highnes Domynions.

1611 in Bible (King James) Ep. Ded. sig. A3 The Lord of Heauen and earth blesse your Maiestie with many and happy dayes, that, as his Heauenly hand hath enriched your Highnesse with many singular, and extraordinary Graces; so [etc.].

1653 Weekly Intellig. 14 Mar. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 367 The Privy Lodgings for his Highness the Lord Protector in Whitehall are now in readiness.

1714 J. Swift Some Free Thoughts upon Present State Affairs (1741) 25 His Electoral Highness should declare himself entirely satisfied.

1777 H. Lutterloh Let. 3 Jan. in B. Franklin Papers (1983) XXIII. 111 I..was two Campaygns an Aide Camp..to His Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand.

1833 H. Martineau Three Ages i. 9 The King's Highness was not called upon to content himself with the homely fare of a farmhouse.

1930 L. Charteris Last Hero xix. 307 Highness, need we have more of this parleying?

1954 S. Beckett Waiting for Godot i. 7 Vladimir: May one enquire where his Highness spent the night? Estragon: In a ditch.

1985 Maharani of Gwalior & M. Malgonkar Princess xx. 207 The main loss to me was the title of Her Highness.

2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 7 Mar. His Royal Highness, Patron, Central Caribbean Marine Institute, and The Countess of Wessex this afternoon visited the Little Cayman Research Centre.

3. Of a thing: solemnity, importance; worthiness, merit; excellence, superiority.

ΚΠ

eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iii. xi. 192 Þæs cyninges geleafan & mægenes heannis [L. excellentia] æfter deaðe eac swilce mid gelomlicra wundra wyrcnisse scan.

OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iv. i. 196 Domini Iesu Christi nomen, de cuius honoris excellentia quidam ait [etc.] : drihtnes hælendes cristes naman be þæs wurðmyntes heannysse sum cwyð.

a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily In Die Sancto Pentecosten (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 97 Ðisses deiȝes hehnesse [OE Royal wurþmynt] is to heriane.

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 210 Schule ȝe beon..ihuslet..ure leafdi dei ȝef he is neh þe sunne dei. for þe hehnesse.

c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 310 Þei leuen to proue bi goddis lawe heyȝnesse of þingis þat þei preysen so.

a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 149 (MED) Thou þerfore art þe ende of all godes, þe hyenes of lif, þe profundite of scriptures.

?1531 R. Whitford tr. Folowing of Christe ii. xii. sig. lv^v In the Crosse is the strength of mynde, the ioy of spirite, the hyghnes of vertue, and the full perfection of all holynes.

1583 C. Rosdell tr. J. Calvin Comm. Romanes xi. f. 159 All the doctrine of the scripture, in highnesse, exceede the wit of man.

1605 A. Munday tr. G. Affinati Dumbe Divine Speaker 257 The wise man ought to be knowen, not onely by the cause, but also by the highnesse of the cause.

a1653 H. Binning Sinners Sanctuary (1670) xi. 90 This profound mystery, in the manner of it, declares the highness, and excellency of the end God proposed.

1760 D. Gordon Gen. Hist. Royal & Noble Personages II. 270 She [sc. Mary Queen of Scots] answered, ‘That..by acknowledging it, she should do prejudice and wrong unto the highness of the majesty of kings.’

1794 R. MacCulloch Lect. Prophecies Isaiah II. xiii. 10 All power and highness is in God, and derived from him, and therefore ought men to rejoice.

1838 Christian Guardian Jan. 28/1 We know not the greatness of our privileges, the highness of our calling, the excellency of our advancement.

1890 Law Q. Rev. Jan. 75 This rule as to the relative highness of these species of evidence has had numerous and important effects upon our law.

1962 N. Coward Diary 27 May (2000) 506 All these exclamation marks are to prove the highness of my life at the moment.

2000 Isis 91 237 In both cases the ‘highness’ of science promoted a set of locally situated values and beliefs.

†4. Haughtiness, pride; overbearing nature or character. Obsolete (archaic and rare after 17th cent.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun]

highnesseOE

orgelnessOE

orgelOE

orgula1200

hautainesse1297

deignoushedec1330

daina1400

hautesse1399

hautainetya1450

orgulitya1470

courage1484

haughtness1489

stateliness1509

stomacha1513

heighta1525

stiffness1526

fastidie1536

disdainfulness1548

loftiness1548

fastidiousness?1555

haughtiness1555

high-mindedness1571

squeamishness1580

hichtiness1596

morguec1598

signory1598

superciliosity1606

overliness1610

superciliousness1622

excelsity1623

hauteura1628

cavalierism1643

supercilium1657

condescendency1667

supercile1679

uncondescension1681

superbness1682

fastidiosity1704

condescension1752

aristocratism1792

aristocracy1822

patricianism1826

touch-me-not-ishness1836

cavalierishness1860

patronization1944

eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) ii. ix. 124 Se biscop Paulinus geseah, þæt he uneaðelice meahte ða heannesse [L. sublimitatem] þæs cynelican modes to eaðmodnesse gecerran.

a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 143 (MED) Ðat is on ure ledene tur, and tacneð hwile heinesse of oregel þe hie hadde þo hie sinne luuede.

c1390 W. Hilton Expos. Qui habitat & Bonum Est (1954) 23 Þat on is heiȝnesse of himself þorw presumpcion, colourd vnder fredam of spirit.

a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 782 Oute of pride comes al eghnes.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxi. §21. 80 Saf me..fra the horns of vnycorns, that is Fra the heghnes of iwes and all proud men.

1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Nviii^v Aganis al hienes and al oder sinnis.

c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 542 Wiþ proude wordes..Boþe wiþ ‘þou leyest, & þou lext’ in heynesse of sowle.

1660 J. Trapp Comm. Holy Script. (Jer. xiii. 15) 264 To lay aside the highness of their hearts, and the stoutness of their stomacks, sith it is the Lord that speaketh.

1913 N. Lorimer Wife out of Egypt (1915) xiii. 131 Her womanhood could rend him in pieces, until all his highness and masterfulness had melted away.

5. High degree of a quality or attribute; greatness of amount, price, value, etc.; (with reference to music, the voice, etc.) high pitch.In quot. eOE: loudness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun]

highnesseOE

strengthOE

altitude?a1475

vehemence1535

vehemency1546

profundity1565

height1601

profoundness1612

depth1624

intensenessa1631

exquisiteness1650

eminence1651

intensivenessa1656

intensity1665

eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iv. xxix. 370 Ðæs wæs to tacne, þonne he..mæssan sang, ðæt he his stefne on heanesse ne ahofe [L. non eleuata in altum uoce].

a1450 Musical Treat. in Speculum (1935) 10 269 (MED) Gemetrye tretith of lengþe & brede of londe..musike of þe highnes & lounesse of voyse.

1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) iv. viii. f. 81^v The hyghnesse of the colour sygnifyeth heate.

1574 F. Kinwelmersh tr. A. Le Roy Briefe Instr. Musicke Lute sig. S.ii^v To tune your lute..a good eare is there vnto..a good helpe, to haue consideration to the extreame highnesse, and the extreame lownesse.

1648 J. Battie Merchants Remonstr. 12 The then highnesse of the Exchange, which highnesse was principally caused by the amplenesse or largenesse of Trade.

1659 B. Harris in tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age (ed. 2) Contin. 322 Through the highnesse of the wind, and strength of the stream.

1755 J. Tucker Elements of Commerce ii. i. 70 The Want of Plank of our own Growth, and consequently the Highness of the Price of what we have.

1777 W. Chapman Ess. Commerc. & Polit. iv. 33 From the highness of rents the price of provisions have rose.

1819 A. Rees Cycl. XXXVII. at Voice The quantity of the voice consists in its highness or lowness, swiftness or slowness, and the intermediate degrees between them.

1884 Manch. Examiner 10 July 5/1 Responsible for the highness of the rates.

1918 G. A. Chaquarian tr. S. M. Ohanesian Life's Demand in 20th Cent. ii. 511 Another inconvenience is the highness of the bill of fares of hotels in such places.

1970 S. Fisher Body Experience in Fantasy & Behavior ii. 44 A Q sort was used in a sample of 198 sixth grade children to measure lowness versus highness of self concept.

2010 S. P. Morreale Competent Public Speaker iii. 49 Vary your pitch, the highness or lowness of your voice, and vary your intensity or volume.

Derivatives

ˈhighnesshood n. rare (chiefly with modifying word) the rank of (Royal, etc.) Highness; also in extended use.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [noun] > royal person(s) > rank of

Highness-ship1670

highnesshood1844

1844 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 55 199 A king has descended from his throne, and a prince from royal highnesshood, to reward the virtues of the fair partners to whom they are unable to impart the rights of the blood-royal.

1946 H. Becker German Youth i. ii. 31 The surplus claimants to Serene Highnesshood thereby brought into the world were sent to serve as princely consorts, queens, or kings in many other parts of Europe.

2012 Sunday Times (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 24 June The humble book, so often upstaged by the Internet, has been lifted into highnesshood.

ˈHighness-ship n. (also with lower-case initial) (also with modifying word and chiefly with possessive adjective) a title of respect or respectful form of address given to a person entitled to be addressed as (Royal, etc.) Highness; (also) the rank of Highness.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [noun] > royal person(s) > rank of

Highness-ship1670

highnesshood1844

1670 T. J. On Death Duke of Albemarle (single sheet) When news was brought, his Highness-ship was gone.

1799 S. J. Pratt Gleanings in Eng. x. 211 Birth-day of his Royal Highness-ship, George, by the Grace of God, Prince of Wales.

1864 R. Chambers Bk. of Days II. 426/2 Her highness-ship not being yet accustomed to that roomy and august dwelling.

1907 Sat. Rev. 12 Jan. 50/1 This great republican bequeathed chaos and highness-ship to his incompetent son.

2010 E. J. Fisher Lands of In-KO-8 Trilogy (ed. 2) i. x. 87 I—that is, we—bring plans and maps, Highness-ship.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	highness
释义	highnessn. Brit. /ˈhʌɪnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈhaɪnᵻs/ Forms: early Old English haehnis, early Old English hehnis (Mercian), Old English hænis (Mercian), Old English heahnes, Old English heahnynysse (accusative, transmission error), Old English heahnys, Old English heahnyss, Old English heanes, Old English heanis (chiefly Anglian), Old English heannes, Old English heannis, Old English heannys, Old English hegnys (rare), Old English heonis (Northumbrian), Old English heonnys (rare), Old English hiehnys (rare), Old English–early Middle English hehnes (rare), late Old English heachnes (Kentish), late Old English heænes (Kentish), late Old English heænnes (Kentish), late Old English heahnis, early Middle English heahnesse, early Middle English heahnysse, early Middle English heanysse, early Middle English hechnesse, early Middle English hegnesse, early Middle English hehnesse, early Middle English hehnisse, early Middle English heihnesse, Middle English eȝenes, Middle English eghnes, Middle English heȝenes, Middle English heghenes, Middle English heghnes, Middle English heghnesse, Middle English heȝnes, Middle English heȝnesse, Middle English heienesse, Middle English heiȝnesse, Middle English heinesse, Middle English henes, Middle English heyȝnes, Middle English heygnesse, Middle English heyȝnesse, Middle English heynes, Middle English hienesse, Middle English highenesse, Middle English hiȝnes, Middle English hiȝnesse, Middle English hihenesse, Middle English hihnes, Middle English hihnesse, Middle English hinesse, Middle English hyenes, Middle English hyȝenesse, Middle English hyghenesse, Middle English hyȝnes, Middle English hynes, Middle English 1600s heynesse, Middle English–1500s heighnes, Middle English–1500s hyenesse, Middle English–1500s hyghnesse, Middle English–1600s highnes, Middle English–1600s highnesse, Middle English–1600s hyghnes, Middle English– highness, 1500s heignes, 1500s hignes, 1500s–1600s hygnes, 1600s highenes, 1600s hignesse; Scottish pre-1700 hechnes, pre-1700 heenes, pre-1700 heghnes, pre-1700 heichnes, pre-1700 heighnes, pre-1700 heighness, pre-1700 heihnes, pre-1700 heines, pre-1700 henas, pre-1700 henes, pre-1700 heychnes, pre-1700 heyghnes, pre-1700 heynes, pre-1700 hichnes, pre-1700 hieghnes, pre-1700 hienace, pre-1700 hienes, pre-1700 hienis, pre-1700 highnes, pre-1700 hines, pre-1700 hyechnes, pre-1700 1700s– highness, pre-1700 1800s heichness. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to Old High German hōhnissa height < the Germanic base of high n.¹ + the Germanic base of -ness suffix. Compare Anglo-Norman haltesce and Old French hautece physical height, high rank (see hautesse n.).In Old English, before the initial n of the suffix the stem-final fricative of the first element is regularly lost, as in West Saxon hēanes , Anglian (without smoothing) hēanis . However, from early on the first element frequently shows formal influence of the uninflected stem of high n.¹ Forms showing doubling of n , such as West Saxon heannes , probably reflect assimilation of the analogically restored fricative to the n of the suffix. In other Germanic languages formations of the type shown by highhead n.¹ are used to express similar aspects of high position, both literally and figuratively, e.g. Middle Dutch hoochheit, Middle Low German hōchēt, hōcheit, Old Swedish höghhet, and (only in sense ‘exaltedness, nobility’) Middle High German hōchheit. 1. a. The fact or condition of being high with regard to physical position; high altitude or elevation; (also) greatness of physical height; tallness. Formerly also: †measurement from the base or foot upwards; stature (obsolete). Now somewhat rare.height is now the more usual term. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > majesty, glory, or grandeur > [noun] athelc885 highnesseOE brightnessOE thrumOE worshipOE highship?c1225 nobleyec1300 pridec1330 realtya1375 rialtya1375 greatnessc1384 nobletya1387 magnificencec1390 regalya1393 greatheada1400 hautesse1399 lordliness1440 celsitudec1450 excelsitudec1470 state1488 princeliness1545 kingliness1548 royalty1548 amplitudec1550 grandity1589 grandeur1600 glory1613 majesticalness1613 augusteity1615 grandezza1629 augustness1644 raisedness1645 celsity1656 splendidnessa1657 grandness1663 exaltedness1730 halo1813 queenliness1831 aureole1852 magnateship1916 the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > [noun] > above a certain level > great or considerable highnesseOE heighta1400 tallness1535 excelsity1623 precipice1650 celsitude1678 loftiness1781 eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) li. 397 Sio heanes [L. altitudo] ðonne ðara munta getacnað ða clænnesse ðære forhæfdnesse. OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) ii. i. 70 We ne magon hig [sc. the firmament] næfre geseon for þære fyrlenan heahnysse. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 274 Maudeleine þet spaleð tures hechnesse. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xiii. 193 Þat it passe nouȝt de[w] [MS þe] maner in lenkþe and brede and hyenes. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 11672 Þe heȝenes of þis tre. a1500 Rule Minoresses in W. W. Seton Two 15th Cent. Franciscan Rules (1914) 92 We wole of alle þinge þat þe ȝate be of hihenesse þat þer may nat come þer to but wiþ a ladder. ?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. xvii. sig. Eiij^v It is also to be wayed how this difference of highnesse and lownesse is to be accompted. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xxiii. 139 A mount of great highnesse and sharpnesse. 1652 F. Kirkman tr. A. Du Périer Loves Clerio & Lozia 108 Pattins, which render our highness and stature both alike. 1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. iii. 137/2 Geometrical Terms for their Plots, Figures, [etc.]. Sublimities, the heights or highness of things. 1720 E. R. Experienc'd Farrier (ed. 4) i. 15 Let his Shape be tall, broad and well furnish'd, not gross with much Flesh, but with the highness of his Bones. 1799 R. Brown Gen. View Agric. W. Riding Yorks. App. 11 The soil is barren moor, and perfectly unimproveable, unless planting will answer, which, from the highness of the situation, is very doubtful. 1803 A. Dalmazzoni Antiquarian vii. 124 The breadth of the four fronts of the Pyramid at the bottom is 98. feet; and its highness..123. 1840 J. Smith tr. Bk. of Mormon (ed. 3) xx. 352 The Lamanites could not get into their forts of security..because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up. 1895 Univ. Virginia Mag. Oct. 23 His sight was vantaged by the highness of the tower. 1911 Resources of Tennessee Dec. 225 The highness of the White Oak Ridge is due partly to this characteristic of the Fort Payne. 1954 H. Arnow Dollmaker xxiii. 319 As always she pondered on the highness of the north star here compared to home. 2003 C. Harris Club Dead (Electronic ed.) I had a time getting into Alcide's truck, what with the shortness of the dress and the highness of the heels. †b. The highest region or part of somewhere or something (esp. heaven); a high place or position; a height, top, summit. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > high position > [noun] > high place or part highnesseOE highOE altitude?a1475 haut1502 excelse1610 eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) cxlviii. 1 Laudate eum in excelsis : hergad hine in heanissum. OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) iv. 5 Þa gebrohte se deofol hine on þa halgan ceastre & asette hine ofer þæs temples heahnesse [L. pinnaculum]. c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 177 Uten we..earniæn mid gode dæde þæt we on heahnesse stiȝæn mote[n]. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 111 Siððen he is buuen alle hegnesse, hwider sholde he stige? a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. ii. 602 [Out and] fro so greet hiȝnesse he[o] seeþ a smal fische swymme in þe see. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. xliv. 1 Putte thou the money of ech in the hiȝnesse [a1450 Corpus Cambr. heiȝthe; a1382 E.V. kop; L. summitate] of the sak. a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. ccxli/1 In the hyghenesse of heuen he had seen a douue. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xciv. §4. 341 The heghnessis of hilles ere his. 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 190 Of whose sede, the hyenesse of goddes mounte flowreth with fayre blossomes. 1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum (new ed.) sig. A3^v These sparkes by nature euermore aspire, Which makes them to so high an Highnesse flee. ?1624 G. Chapman tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 129 All Tops of Hills, and cliffie Highnesses: All Siluan Copses, and the Fortresses Of Thorniest Queaches. 1657 J. Trapp Comm. Ezra (Job xi. 1) 104 The highnesses of heaven (so the Hebrew hath it) which is so high, that one would wonder we should be able to behold the starry skie. 2. a. With reference to people: high rank or status. Also: superiority of character, thought, or behaviour; nobility, dignity; moral excellence. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] highnesseOE dignityc1230 worshiphead1340 gentryc1390 heighta1400 rank?c1430 portc1475 affair1480 stateliness1548 character1629 sublimitya1656 station1706 rate1707 elevatedness1731 tchin1861 eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) ii. ix. 126 Gif he þære tiide ærmþa biswicade & to heannisse cynerices [L. ad regni fastigia] becwome. OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Hatton) (1900) Pref. 6 Þonne ic sceawige þara [manna] heahnysse & rihtwisnesse [L. culmen], ic geþence, hu swiðe ic sylf licge on þysum nyðerlican þingum. c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8825 (MED) Biuore alle oþere, god him ȝef þre þinges, richesse, & wisdom & maistrie, & þis was gret heinesse. a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 42 Þus siche false presumpcioun of heynes of state. a1450 in J. Evans & M. S. Serjeantson Eng. Mediaeval Lapidaries (1933) 26 (MED) Þe whitnes signifieth þe highnesse of the Trinite. 1494 W. Hilton Scala Perfeccionis (de Worde) ii. xl. sig. q iiii Hyghnes of thoughte & onlynes of soule: a lyfly felynge of grace & pryuyte of herte. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Giv^v He is set in greit power and henes. 1577 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. Ephesians xlv. f. 320^v Wee haue iust cause too glory, notwithstanding that wee be of lowe degree. For wee haue a hyghnesse whereby God exalteth vs aboue all the world. 1601 R. Johnson Ess. xiv. sig. G3^v To despise iniuries of honour nobly, and with an highnes of mind: for contumelies not regarded vanish of themselues into obliuion. 1646 J. Whitaker Danger of Greatnesse 20 Uzziah..doted upon his highnesse. 1729 W. Hatchett tr. G. B. Comazzi Morals Princes vii. 100 He that wou'd know how far he ought to raise his Fortune at Court, after having weigh'd the Highness of the Station, let him measure how great the Distance is between that, and the Precipice. 1797 Mental Tooth-pick for Fair Sex 58 She who feels impulsive elation from the highness of her birth, or the rank of her family, ought to annex to each of these articles, their natural significance. 1831 J. Noble Orientalist v. 74 In his manners he exhibited the effects of..the highness of his caste, being that of a Brahmin. 1889 Centennial Mag. (Austral.) May 726/2 The highness of his birth, his strength, his bravery and skill. 1918 M. Cunliffe-Owen Keystone of Empire viii. 212 A man whose highness of mind and fairness of judgment were proverbial. 2010 J. Petersen Unclaimed Duchess x. 154 The other man had no rank, though he did have standing in Society due to the highness of his family. b. Chiefly with capital initial and with possessive, as His (Her, Your, the King's, etc.) Highness: an honorific title or form of address given to a person of royal rank. Frequently with modifying word, as Royal, Imperial, Serene (see Royal Highness n. at royal adj. and n. Compounds 1, serene adj. 4), etc. Occasionally also as a mock title.‘His (or Her) Highness’ was formerly one of the titles given to English kings and queens, varying with ‘Grace’ (see grace n. 8), and later with ‘Majesty’ (see majesty n. 2). In the Dedication of the King James version of the Bible to James VI and I (see quot. 1611), Highness and Majesty are used indiscriminately, as they had been in reference to James' predecessor Elizabeth I; but later in his reign Majesty became the official style used in addressing or referring to the monarch. Highness was also used by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell and his wife.For a note on grammatical agreement with Your Highness see majesty n. 2. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun] > titles applied to royalty > for a prince highness?1406 serenitya1525 sereneness1728 ?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle l. 419 in E. P. Hammond Eng. Verse between Chaucer & Surrey (1927) 66/1 Lo lat my lord the Fourneval..þat now is tresoreer From thyn Hynesse haue a tokne or tweye To paie me þat due is for this yeer. 1420 in Facsimiles National MSS (1865) I. 39 More can I not write to yowr hynesse at this tyme. a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 118 His creauncers shul..defame his highnes off mysgouernance. 1529 T. Wolsey in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. 11 This Kyndnes exibite from the Kyng's hyghnes. 1571 Act 13 Eliz. c. 29 §1 Within the Queenes Highnes Domynions. 1611 in Bible (King James) Ep. Ded. sig. A3 The Lord of Heauen and earth blesse your Maiestie with many and happy dayes, that, as his Heauenly hand hath enriched your Highnesse with many singular, and extraordinary Graces; so [etc.]. 1653 Weekly Intellig. 14 Mar. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 367 The Privy Lodgings for his Highness the Lord Protector in Whitehall are now in readiness. 1714 J. Swift Some Free Thoughts upon Present State Affairs (1741) 25 His Electoral Highness should declare himself entirely satisfied. 1777 H. Lutterloh Let. 3 Jan. in B. Franklin Papers (1983) XXIII. 111 I..was two Campaygns an Aide Camp..to His Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand. 1833 H. Martineau Three Ages i. 9 The King's Highness was not called upon to content himself with the homely fare of a farmhouse. 1930 L. Charteris Last Hero xix. 307 Highness, need we have more of this parleying? 1954 S. Beckett Waiting for Godot i. 7 Vladimir: May one enquire where his Highness spent the night? Estragon: In a ditch. 1985 Maharani of Gwalior & M. Malgonkar Princess xx. 207 The main loss to me was the title of Her Highness. 2016 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 7 Mar. His Royal Highness, Patron, Central Caribbean Marine Institute, and The Countess of Wessex this afternoon visited the Little Cayman Research Centre. 3. Of a thing: solemnity, importance; worthiness, merit; excellence, superiority. ΚΠ eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iii. xi. 192 Þæs cyninges geleafan & mægenes heannis [L. excellentia] æfter deaðe eac swilce mid gelomlicra wundra wyrcnisse scan. OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) iv. i. 196 Domini Iesu Christi nomen, de cuius honoris excellentia quidam ait [etc.] : drihtnes hælendes cristes naman be þæs wurðmyntes heannysse sum cwyð. a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily In Die Sancto Pentecosten (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 97 Ðisses deiȝes hehnesse [OE Royal wurþmynt] is to heriane. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 210 Schule ȝe beon..ihuslet..ure leafdi dei ȝef he is neh þe sunne dei. for þe hehnesse. c1475 (a1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 310 Þei leuen to proue bi goddis lawe heyȝnesse of þingis þat þei preysen so. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 149 (MED) Thou þerfore art þe ende of all godes, þe hyenes of lif, þe profundite of scriptures. ?1531 R. Whitford tr. Folowing of Christe ii. xii. sig. lv^v In the Crosse is the strength of mynde, the ioy of spirite, the hyghnes of vertue, and the full perfection of all holynes. 1583 C. Rosdell tr. J. Calvin Comm. Romanes xi. f. 159 All the doctrine of the scripture, in highnesse, exceede the wit of man. 1605 A. Munday tr. G. Affinati Dumbe Divine Speaker 257 The wise man ought to be knowen, not onely by the cause, but also by the highnesse of the cause. a1653 H. Binning Sinners Sanctuary (1670) xi. 90 This profound mystery, in the manner of it, declares the highness, and excellency of the end God proposed. 1760 D. Gordon Gen. Hist. Royal & Noble Personages II. 270 She [sc. Mary Queen of Scots] answered, ‘That..by acknowledging it, she should do prejudice and wrong unto the highness of the majesty of kings.’ 1794 R. MacCulloch Lect. Prophecies Isaiah II. xiii. 10 All power and highness is in God, and derived from him, and therefore ought men to rejoice. 1838 Christian Guardian Jan. 28/1 We know not the greatness of our privileges, the highness of our calling, the excellency of our advancement. 1890 Law Q. Rev. Jan. 75 This rule as to the relative highness of these species of evidence has had numerous and important effects upon our law. 1962 N. Coward Diary 27 May (2000) 506 All these exclamation marks are to prove the highness of my life at the moment. 2000 Isis 91 237 In both cases the ‘highness’ of science promoted a set of locally situated values and beliefs. †4. Haughtiness, pride; overbearing nature or character. Obsolete (archaic and rare after 17th cent.). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun] highnesseOE orgelnessOE orgelOE orgula1200 hautainesse1297 deignoushedec1330 daina1400 hautesse1399 hautainetya1450 orgulitya1470 courage1484 haughtness1489 stateliness1509 stomacha1513 heighta1525 stiffness1526 fastidie1536 disdainfulness1548 loftiness1548 fastidiousness?1555 haughtiness1555 high-mindedness1571 squeamishness1580 hichtiness1596 morguec1598 signory1598 superciliosity1606 overliness1610 superciliousness1622 excelsity1623 hauteura1628 cavalierism1643 supercilium1657 condescendency1667 supercile1679 uncondescension1681 superbness1682 fastidiosity1704 condescension1752 aristocratism1792 aristocracy1822 patricianism1826 touch-me-not-ishness1836 cavalierishness1860 patronization1944 eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) ii. ix. 124 Se biscop Paulinus geseah, þæt he uneaðelice meahte ða heannesse [L. sublimitatem] þæs cynelican modes to eaðmodnesse gecerran. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 143 (MED) Ðat is on ure ledene tur, and tacneð hwile heinesse of oregel þe hie hadde þo hie sinne luuede. c1390 W. Hilton Expos. Qui habitat & Bonum Est (1954) 23 Þat on is heiȝnesse of himself þorw presumpcion, colourd vnder fredam of spirit. a1450 Rule St. Benet (Vesp.) (1902) l. 782 Oute of pride comes al eghnes. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxi. §21. 80 Saf me..fra the horns of vnycorns, that is Fra the heghnes of iwes and all proud men. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Nviii^v Aganis al hienes and al oder sinnis. c1600 (?c1395) Pierce Ploughman's Crede (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) l. 542 Wiþ proude wordes..Boþe wiþ ‘þou leyest, & þou lext’ in heynesse of sowle. 1660 J. Trapp Comm. Holy Script. (Jer. xiii. 15) 264 To lay aside the highness of their hearts, and the stoutness of their stomacks, sith it is the Lord that speaketh. 1913 N. Lorimer Wife out of Egypt (1915) xiii. 131 Her womanhood could rend him in pieces, until all his highness and masterfulness had melted away. 5. High degree of a quality or attribute; greatness of amount, price, value, etc.; (with reference to music, the voice, etc.) high pitch.In quot. eOE: loudness. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun] highnesseOE strengthOE altitude?a1475 vehemence1535 vehemency1546 profundity1565 height1601 profoundness1612 depth1624 intensenessa1631 exquisiteness1650 eminence1651 intensivenessa1656 intensity1665 eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) iv. xxix. 370 Ðæs wæs to tacne, þonne he..mæssan sang, ðæt he his stefne on heanesse ne ahofe [L. non eleuata in altum uoce]. a1450 Musical Treat. in Speculum (1935) 10 269 (MED) Gemetrye tretith of lengþe & brede of londe..musike of þe highnes & lounesse of voyse. 1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) iv. viii. f. 81^v The hyghnesse of the colour sygnifyeth heate. 1574 F. Kinwelmersh tr. A. Le Roy Briefe Instr. Musicke Lute sig. S.ii^v To tune your lute..a good eare is there vnto..a good helpe, to haue consideration to the extreame highnesse, and the extreame lownesse. 1648 J. Battie Merchants Remonstr. 12 The then highnesse of the Exchange, which highnesse was principally caused by the amplenesse or largenesse of Trade. 1659 B. Harris in tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age (ed. 2) Contin. 322 Through the highnesse of the wind, and strength of the stream. 1755 J. Tucker Elements of Commerce ii. i. 70 The Want of Plank of our own Growth, and consequently the Highness of the Price of what we have. 1777 W. Chapman Ess. Commerc. & Polit. iv. 33 From the highness of rents the price of provisions have rose. 1819 A. Rees Cycl. XXXVII. at Voice The quantity of the voice consists in its highness or lowness, swiftness or slowness, and the intermediate degrees between them. 1884 Manch. Examiner 10 July 5/1 Responsible for the highness of the rates. 1918 G. A. Chaquarian tr. S. M. Ohanesian Life's Demand in 20th Cent. ii. 511 Another inconvenience is the highness of the bill of fares of hotels in such places. 1970 S. Fisher Body Experience in Fantasy & Behavior ii. 44 A Q sort was used in a sample of 198 sixth grade children to measure lowness versus highness of self concept. 2010 S. P. Morreale Competent Public Speaker iii. 49 Vary your pitch, the highness or lowness of your voice, and vary your intensity or volume. Derivatives ˈhighnesshood n. rare (chiefly with modifying word) the rank of (Royal, etc.) Highness; also in extended use. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [noun] > royal person(s) > rank of Highness-ship1670 highnesshood1844 1844 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 55 199 A king has descended from his throne, and a prince from royal highnesshood, to reward the virtues of the fair partners to whom they are unable to impart the rights of the blood-royal. 1946 H. Becker German Youth i. ii. 31 The surplus claimants to Serene Highnesshood thereby brought into the world were sent to serve as princely consorts, queens, or kings in many other parts of Europe. 2012 Sunday Times (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 24 June The humble book, so often upstaged by the Internet, has been lifted into highnesshood. ˈHighness-ship n. (also with lower-case initial) (also with modifying word and chiefly with possessive adjective) a title of respect or respectful form of address given to a person entitled to be addressed as (Royal, etc.) Highness; (also) the rank of Highness. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > royalty > [noun] > royal person(s) > rank of Highness-ship1670 highnesshood1844 1670 T. J. On Death Duke of Albemarle (single sheet) When news was brought, his Highness-ship was gone. 1799 S. J. Pratt Gleanings in Eng. x. 211 Birth-day of his Royal Highness-ship, George, by the Grace of God, Prince of Wales. 1864 R. Chambers Bk. of Days II. 426/2 Her highness-ship not being yet accustomed to that roomy and august dwelling. 1907 Sat. Rev. 12 Jan. 50/1 This great republican bequeathed chaos and highness-ship to his incompetent son. 2010 E. J. Fisher Lands of In-KO-8 Trilogy (ed. 2) i. x. 87 I—that is, we—bring plans and maps, Highness-ship. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). highnessv. Brit. /ˈhʌɪnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈhaɪnᵻs/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: highness n. Etymology: < highness n. rare before 19th cent. transitive. To give (a person) the title of ‘highness’; to address as ‘Your Highness’. Formerly also with cognate and indirect object. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > address specific persons of rank [verb (transitive)] begracec1522 belord1565 grace1597 highness1658 be-ladyship1811 honourable1877 esquire1887 1658 A. Cokayne Trappolin iii. i, in Small Poems 462 Hora. I will obey your Highness. Tra. Highness me no more highness. 1818 J. W. Croker in L. J. Jennings Croker Papers (1884) I. iv. 125 They don't quite Highness her [sc. Mrs. Fitzherbert] in her domestic circle, but they Madam her prodigiously. 1898 Speaker 4 June 701/1 He went to Osborne, and got into trouble with the courtiers for not ‘Highnessing’ and ‘Princessing’ the royal babies. 1906 E. Saltus Vanity Square ii. xi. 299 Now, Patmore, don't be highnessing me. In this free-and-easy place Madam is enough. 1993 T. Hoving Making Mummies Dance (1994) xviii. 349 The empress appeared so suddenly I was taken aback, but she smiled when I ‘highnessed’ her. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.eOEv.1658
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highnessn.

Derivatives

highnessv.