Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Simplicity

Sim-plic′i-ty

,
Noun.
[F.
simplicité
, L.
simplicitas
. See
Simple
.]
1.
The quality or state of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded;
as, the
simplicity
of metals or of earths
.
2.
The quality or state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts;
as, the
simplicity
of a machine
.
3.
Artlessness of mind; freedom from cunning or duplicity; lack of acuteness and sagacity.
Marquis Dorset, a man, for his harmless
simplicity
neither misliked nor much regarded.
Hayward.
In wit a man;
simplicity
a child.
Pope.
4.
Freedom from artificial ornament, pretentious style, or luxury; plainness;
as,
simplicity
of dress, of style, or of language;
simplicity
of diet;
simplicity
of life
.
5.
Freedom from subtlety or abstruseness; clearness;
as, the
simplicity
of a doctrine; the
simplicity
of an explanation or a demonstration
.
6.
Weakness of intellect; silliness; folly.
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love
simplicity
? and the scorners delight in their scorning?
Prov. i. 22.

Webster 1828 Edition

Simplicity

SIMPLIC'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. simplicitas.]
1.
Singleness; the state of being unmixed or uncompounded; as the simplicity of metals or of earths.
2.
The state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as the simplicity of a machine.
3.
Artlessness of mind; freedom from a propensity to cunning or stratagem; freedom from duplicity; sincerity. Marquis Dorset, a man for his harmless simplicity neither misliked nor much regarded.
4.
Plainness; freedom from artificial ornament; as the simplicity of a dress, of style, of language, &c. Simplicity in writing is the first or excellences.
5.
Plainness; freedom from subtilty or abstruseness; as the simplicity of scriptural doctrines or truth.
6.
Weakness of intellect; silliness. Godly simplicity, in Scriptures, is a fair open profession and practice of evangelical truth, with a single view to obedience and to the glory of God.

Definition 2024

simplicity

simplicity

English

Noun

simplicity ‎(countable and uncountable, plural simplicities)

  1. The quality or state of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded; as, the simplicity of metals or of earths.
  2. The quality or state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as, the simplicity of a machine.
  3. Artlessness of mind; freedom from cunning or duplicity; lack of acuteness and sagacity.
  4. Freedom from artificial ornament, pretentious style, or luxury; plainness; as, simplicity of dress, of style, or of language; simplicity of diet; simplicity of life.
  5. Freedom from subtlety or abstruseness; clearness; as, the simplicity of a doctrine; the simplicity of an explanation or a demonstration.
  6. Freedom from complication; efficiency.
    • 2013 August 3, “Boundary problems”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8847:
      Economics is a messy discipline: too fluid to be a science, too rigorous to be an art. Perhaps it is fitting that economists’ most-used metric, gross domestic product (GDP), is a tangle too. GDP measures the total value of output in an economic territory. Its apparent simplicity explains why it is scrutinised down to tenths of a percentage point every month.
  7. Weakness of intellect; silliness; folly.
  8. (rare) An act or instance of foolishness.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • simplicity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • simplicity in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Etymology

From Old French simplicite, from Latin simplicitas, from simplex ‎(“simple”). See simple.

Pronunciation

Similar Results