raptnessn.
/ˈrap(t)nəs/, U.S. /ˈræp(t)nəs/ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [noun]
swiftnessc888
speedOE
swiftship?c1225
swifthead1340
speedfulnessc1386
quickness?a1425
hastinessc1425
speediheadc1450
swiftinessa1464
radeur1477
celerity1483
speediness1530
swithnessc1540
velocity1555
raptness1582
pernicity1592
rapidity1601
fastness1604
fleetness1625
rida1642
rapidness1650
mercuriousnessa1661
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie ii. 10 Think verie well of these Elementarie principles,..allow if theie be aduisedlie considered, and not hedilie renounced, by..raptnesse in conceit..before theie be well weied.
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Methodicalle Disc. in French Chirurg. f. 52 v/2 With more festination, & more raptnes.
2. The quality, condition, or state of being rapt; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > [noun] > condition of
whole-mindedness1528
intentiveness1561
intentness1642
undistractedness1660
fascination1768
concentrativeness1823
preoccupancy1830
absorbedness1833
concentratedness1835
engrossment1838
raptness1856
fixedness1863
absorbancy1909
1856 E. Robinson City Banker I. xii. 262 ‘What is true and brave is always right!’ she added, with an internal raptness of tone.
1883 J. Benton Emerson as Poet 66 This ecstasy and raptness melt at times into a subtle mysticism.
1891 Cornhill Mag. Feb. 182 That look which such raptness wears.
1941 Ruthven (Iowa) Free Press 5 Feb. 2/2 The raptness of the children's eyes..brought a lump to my throat.
2003 Daily Tel. 14 Mar. 26/4 Shakespeare's original [play], heavily cut, but performed with rare raptness and intensity.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1582