brightnessn.
/ˈbrʌɪtnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈbraɪtnᵻs/ I. Senses relating to light and colour.
1.
a. The quality or fact of being bright; the giving out or reflecting of light (as by the sun, a fire, a bright object, etc.); shininess, radiance, brilliance. Also: the extent to which something is bright.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > intensity of light > [noun] > brightness
shinessc950
brightOE
gleamOE
lightnessOE
brightnessOE
brightheadc1300
glimc1400
lightsomeness1440
shinea1529
brightsomeness1548
lustrec1550
claritude1575
lightfulnessa1586
explendency1642
lucidness1648
lucidity1656
luculency1656
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iv. xvi. 284 Þa se leoma swa mycelre beorhtnesse ascan to þon swyþe, þæt he geteah mid ungewændedlicre fyrhtu þa heortan.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 82 Þe brytnesse of þe mone.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ix. l. 285 Torchis..As thei wer dirk or shewed ther brihtnessis.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xxiv. xii. 258 Enemies,..were alreadie in place, as it appeared by the glittering brightnesse of their armor.
a1699 J. Cooper Μισθοσκοπια (1700) 16 Ten thousand times more Radiant than the Sun in it's Noon-day brightness.
1810 C. T. Watkins Portable Cycl. sig. 3K5v/1 The brightness of the direct rays obscured the fainter light.
1901 National Mag. Feb. 394/2 The child in her arms was gazing dreamily into the fire's brightness.
2004 Orange County (Calif.) Reg. (Nexis) 20 June The white-light reflections..gives a polished diamond its brightness.
b. Astronomy and Physics. The intensity of light observed from a light source, esp. a star or other celestial object (cf. magnitude n. 3a). Also: the intensity of light emitted by a light source (cf. luminance n. 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > star > star-matter > [noun] > brightness
brightness1674
absolute brightness1832
sun power1853
luminosity1906
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > intensity of light, luminosity > [noun]
brightness1674
self-luminosity1841
illumination1863
luminosity1898
illuminance1943
luminance1950
irradiance1956
1674 R. Hooke Attempt to prove Motion of Earth 6 Supposing all the fixt Stars as so many Suns,..we should from the knowledge of their Diameters and brightnesses be better able to judge of their distances.
1825 tr. J. H. Lambert in Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Apr. 484 (note) For who, by the aid of a thermometer, can detect the brightness of the moon's light?
1929 Bureau of Standards Jrnl. Res. 1 51 The sample could be orientated to receive a beam of light..at any desired angle of incidence and the brightness of the sample observed at various angles of reflection.
1961 M. G. Say Electr. Engineer's Ref. Bk. (ed. 10) xii. 3 The most used units are the candela per square centimetre..for high brightnesses and the candela per square inch and foot-lambert for general brightness measurements.
2015 Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific 127 314/2 At the top of the orbit, the star will eclipse the planet, allowing us to measure the brightness of the star without contamination from the planet.
2. An individual or particular appearance of light; an area or patch of light; an instance of illumination.In quots. OE, a1400: spec. a flash of light, lightning.
ΚΠ
OE Lambeth Psalter xcvi. 4 Alluxerunt fulgura eius orbi terrae : onlihton his beorhnyssa [perhaps read beorhtnyssa] ymbhwyrfte eorþan.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cxlii. 7 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 269 (MED) Leuens brightnesses.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 58 (MED) They sey Hevene open and a grete brithnesse schining upon hem.
1595 A. Fletcher Certaine Similies iii. ii. 261 The Rainbow appears not but when there is a clearness and a brightness in some part of the sky.
1712 J. Morton Nat. Hist. Northants. v. 350 There appear'd..a Brightness in the Air which made an Arch from North-West to North-East.
1879 Herald (Melbourne) 24 Nov. A momentary brightness illuminated it [sc. the Post Office clock], and those who glanced upwards..were considerably surprised to find the hands indicating that it was 25 minutes to 4.
2014 Liverpool Echo (Nexis) 17 Jan. 2 A sudden brightness floods the carriage as the train bursts out of the tunnel.
3. Illumination; the fact of being bathed in or full of light (as the sky, a room, etc.).
ΚΠ
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 200 Þe zike eȝe ne may naȝt wel yzi briȝtnesse.
c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan Epist. of Othea (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 49 (MED) Tesbi parceyued the wal crased, where through sche sawe brightnes on the tothir side.
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. iv. f. 24v The Moone of hir selfe doth not giue light, ne yet can yelde any brightnesse to the darknesse of the night.
1774 J. Fletcher Equal Check to Pharisaism & Antinomianism 44 You see the cheerful light that flows..through those windows... You know that this brightness in the glass is not from the glass.
1864 M. E. Braddon Henry Dunbar II. viii. 141 The Major's eyes were almost dazzled by the brightness of that pleasant chamber.
1962 P. D. James Cover her Face (1989) iv. 50 After the dimness of the hall and corridors.., this room struck with the artificial brightness of a stage.
2015 Surrey Mirror (Nexis) 16 Apr. 44 Rays of sunshine streamed in through an open front door, bathing the coffee lounge in warmth and brightness.
4. The quality of being brightly coloured; vividness. Also: the degree of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [noun] > vividness or brightness
brightnessa1475
livelihood1566
floridness1661
vividness1668
liveliness1713
vivacity1735
splendour1774
flame1800
vividity1813
luridness1864
a1475 in Anglia (1911) 34 252 (MED) Alle his wynges were of suche brightnesse ffedered de bien en mieulx.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 61 The brightnes of her cheekes would shame those stars. View more context for this quotation
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 211 Brightness of colour is altogether inadmissible without purity and harmony.
1956 Blytheville (Arkansas) Courier News 5 Nov. 9/1 (advt.) Washing after washing, in tub or machine will not dim the brightness of the fabric.
2012 Birdwatch Apr. 50/2 With ordinary watercolours, the brightness of the colour comes from the white paper showing through.
5. With reference to the sky, the weather, etc.: the quality of being clear, bright, and sunny.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > condition of
fairness1574
brightness1656
fineness1721
high feather1878
1656 J. Hammond Leah & Rachel 17 The country is..pleasant in regard of the brightnesse of the weather.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. vii. 75 These joyous ideas were considerably heightened by the brightness of the sky and serenity of the weather.
1882 Adelaide Observer 25 Mar. 43/5 Every one was out of doors enjoying the warmth and brightness of the summer day.
2018 Sunday Tel. (Nexis) 13 May 27 By mid-afternoon East Anglia at least may start to see some brightness.
II. In extended and figurative uses.
6. Brilliance, magnificence, splendour; glory, renown, illustriousness.In early use chiefly in religious contexts, often with the suggestion of physical radiance or brilliance: cf. bright adj. 10.
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
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) vii. 239 Ðam acennedan cyninge we bringað gold, gif we on his gesihðe mid beorhtnysse þæs upplican wisdomes scinende beoð.
OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) ii. 9 Þa stod drihtnes engel wiþ hig & godes beorhtnes him ymbescean.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 29 (MED) Liȝt and briȝtnesse of Goddiss myldenesse [L. divinae pietatis fulgor].
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 26 [Lucifer] thoght hymself as worthi As hym that hym made, In brightnes, in bewty.
a1684 R. Leighton Pract. Comm. 1st Epist. Peter (1693) I. 86 It shall be by his Light, by the brightness of his coming that all other things shall be reveal'd.
1701 tr. J. Le Clerc Lives Primitive Fathers 117 The Son is..the Brightness of his Glory.
1890 United Service Mag. Oct. 428/1 The brightness of his fame was never sullied.
1961 Brit. Jrnl. Hist. Sci. 4 421 We should not allow ourselves to be so dazzled by the brightness of his reputation..that we fail to see..the achievements of his contemporaries.
2003 New Yorker (Electronic ed.) 3 June Her buoyant voice perfectly matches the brightness of her life.
7. Happiness, success, or prosperity, esp. as a likely future prospect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun]
selthc888
healc950
wealOE
goder-heala1225
prosperity?c1225
wealtha1300
statec1300
healtha1325
welfare1357
theedom1362
wealfulnessc1374
bonchiefa1387
felicity1393
boota1400
wella1400
wealsc1400
well-doingc1440
prosperancea1460
happiness?1473
quartfulness1483
brightnessa1500
goodnessa1500
sonsea1500
thriftiness?1529
prosperation1543
well-being1561
prosperousness1600
fair world1641
thrivingness1818
goldenness1829
palminess1875
the mind > emotion > pleasure > happiness > [noun]
selthc888
bliss971
eadinessOE
seleOE
eadilaikc1175
blissfulnessc1374
seelinessc1374
felicityc1386
seelihead14..
beneurte1480
brightnessa1500
happinessa1500
glee1579
faustity1656
eudemony1727
a song in one's heart1862
the bluebird of happiness1911
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) ii. §5. 10 He [sc. God] sall ref thaim all thaire brightnes & ioy.
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity iii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 477 Vex'd with the present Moment's heavy Gloom, Why seek We Brightness from the Years to come?
1859 United Presbyterian Mag. Jan. 23 No doubt nor shade of gloom darkened the brightness of his prospects.
2013 Austral. Financial Rev. (Nexis) 6 Jan. 25 The recent spike in iron ore sales..has injected some brightness into the outlook for the coming year.
8. The quality of being intelligent and quick-witted.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > [noun]
i-witc888
anyitOE
understandinga1050
ferec1175
skillwisenessa1200
quaintisec1300
brainc1325
cunning1340
reder1340
cunningnessa1400
sentencec1400
intelligence?1435
speculation1471
ingeny1474
cunningheadc1475
capacity1485
pregnancyc1487
dexterity1527
pregnance?1533
shift1542
wittiness1543
ingeniousness1555
conceitedness1576
pate1598
conceit1604
ingeniosity1607
dexterousness1622
talent1622
ingenuousness1628
solertiousnessa1649
ingenuity1651
partedness1654
brightness1655
solerty1656
prettiness1674
long head1694
long lega1705
cleverness1755
smartness1800
cleverality1828
brain power1832
knowledgeability1834
braininess1876
cerebrality1901
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. xi. 115 The brightnesse of your parts, and advantage of your education.
1875 S. Morley Throstlethwaite II. ii. 39 A woman with all Agatha's natural brightness and intelligence.
1919 H. Woodrow (title) Brightness and dullness in children.
1973 B. R. Williams Sci. & Technol. in Econ. Growth viii. 219 A correlation between the introduction of new technology and ‘brightness’ of managers.
2010 M. Ngai Lucky Ones ii. iv. 56 The Tape children,..having never been to school, were ‘somewhat restless’ in the classroom, despite their evident brightness.
9. The quality of being cheerful, alert, or lively; vivacity, animation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [noun]
blithenessc1000
blithec1400
cheerfulness1435
chertec1449
jocundness1482
hilarity1568
cheerliness1571
good humour1571
exhilaration1626
cheerishness1645
geniality1652
jocundry1655
cheeriness1658
brightness1660
shine1710
flow of spirits1716
sunshine1717
genialness1727
festiveness1777
sunniness1829
riancy1834
gleesomeness1847
Euphrasia1882
hilariousness1885
blithesomeness1886
gayness1896
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or liveliness
jollinessc1386
liveliheadc1425
quicknessc1425
vyfnes1475
ramagec1485
couragea1498
liveliness1534
spritec1540
livelihood1566
life1583
sprightliness1599
sprightfulness1602
ruach1606
sprightiness1607
sparkle1611
airiness1628
vivacy1637
spiritfulness1644
spirit1651
vivacity1652
spiritedness1654
brightness1660
sprightness1660
ramageness1686
race1690
friskiness1727
spirituousness1727
vivaciousness1727
brio1731
raciness1759
phlogiston1789
animation1791
lifefulness1829
pepper-and-salt1842
corkiness1845
aliveness1853
vitality1858
music1859
virtu1876
liveness1890
zippiness1907
bounce1909
zing1917
radioactivity1922
oomph1937
pizzazz1937
zinginess1938
hep1946
vavoom1962
welly1977
masala1986
the mind > emotion > excitement > excitability of temperament > spiritedness or liveliness > [noun]
jollinessc1386
liveliheadc1425
quicknessc1425
vyfnes1475
couragea1498
liveliness1534
livelihood1566
life1583
sprightliness1599
sprightfulness1602
sprightiness1607
airiness1628
vivacy1637
spirit1651
vivacity1651
spiritedness1654
brightness1660
friskiness1727
spirituousness1727
vivaciousness1727
animoseness1730
brio1731
animation1791
lifefulness1829
corkiness1845
1660 G. H. tr. M. de Vaumorière Grand Scipio i. ii. 52 The brightness of her eyes, and that aire which instantly subdues the heart.
1798 J. Smith Life St. Columba 131 He immediately breathed out his spirit; but still retained the tranquil smile, the brightness and the fresh look of his countenance.
1850 H. Beaufort Heiress in her Minority I. xviii. 136 Evelyn, who had been all gaiety and brightness but a minute before, became grave and stiff.
2006 K. Martin Scent of Roses xxxiii. 397 ‘I'm really glad everything's going so well,’ she said with false brightness.
10. Of sound: the quality of being clear, vibrant, and typically high-pitched.
ΚΠ
1819 A. Rees et al. Cyclopædia XXII. sig. 3S2/1 We found in this second visit to Mademoiselle Schmeling, a little want of brightness in the middle of her voice.
2016 Duluth (Minnesota) Reader (Electronic ed.) 24 Mar. The Great Hall at the Duluth Depot prefers lower musical tones, so the brightness of the women's voices was mostly lost.
Compounds
C1. General use as a modifier (in sense 1); esp. designating settings, facilities, or mechanisms for controlling the brightness of artificial lighting or the screens of electronic devices, as brightness control, brightness setting, etc.
ΚΠ
1911 Jrnl. Philos., Psychol. & Sci. Methods 8 296 By the proper control of the brightness conditions throughout the experiments, it was possible to isolate..the sensation response to the negative color process in the retina.
1920 Amer. Architect 24 Nov. 679/2 The measurement..due to the character of the screen, was much higher than the brightness measurement made from points of view a few degrees from the axis.
1966 Washington Post & Times Herald 14 Sept. a16 Installation of the lights and brightness controls cost about $3000.
2015 Mint (New Delhi) (Nexis) 6 Aug. Most phones allow you to adjust brightness levels.
C2.
brightness temperature n. Astronomy and Physics (with reference to a body emitting electromagnetic radiation at a given frequency) the temperature that a black body at thermal equilibrium with its surroundings would need to be in order to radiate with the same intensity at that frequency (more fully black-body brightness temperature).An earlier term is black-body temperature.The brightness temperature provides a lower estimate of the real temperature in cases where a direct measurement is difficult to obtain.
ΚΠ
1917 W. E. Forsythe in Gen. Electric Rev. Sept. 751/2 The brightness temperature S must be ascribed to a wave-length such that the energy emitted by a black body per unit area at temperature T for this wave-length will equal that emitted per unit area by the source for the same wave-length.
1960 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 46 6 (caption) Contours of brightness temperature in the 21-cm emission line in the central region of the Galactic System.
2015 M. Tedesco et al. in M. Tedesco Remote Sensing Cryosphere (new ed.) vi. 102 Brightness temperature recorded from dry snow is lower than that recorded from wet snow.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.OE