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Webster 1913 Edition

Muchness

Much′ness

,
Noun.
Greatness; extent.
[Obs. or Colloq.]
The quantity and
muchness
of time which it filcheth.
W. Whately.
Much of a muchness
,
much the same.
[Colloq.]
“Men’s men; gentle or simple, they're much of a muchness.”
G. Eliot.

Definition 2024

muchness

muchness

English

Noun

muchness ‎(plural muchnesses)

  1. Large size or bulk; bigness; size; magnitude (large or small).
  2. Greatness in quantity, number, amount, or degree.
    much of a muchness

Quotations

Three examples from The Diary of Samuel Pepys, all using the phrase the muchness of the business:

  • 1666: the muchness of his business cannot suffer him to mind it, or give him leisure to reflect on anything — Entry 15 Aug 1666
  • 1667/68: This troubled me so much as, together with the shortness of the time and muchness of the business, did let me be at it till but about ten at night — Entry 4 March 1667/68
  • 1668/69: my head a little troubled with the muchness of the business I have upon me at present — Entry 27 March 1668/69

Etymology

From Middle English muchelnesse, michelnesse ‎(“greatness, magnitude”), from Old English mycelnes, micelnes ‎(“greatness, size, mass, quantity, multitude, abundance, magnificence, great deed”), equivalent to much +‎ -ness. Cognate with Old High German michilnessi ‎(“greatness, magnitude”). Compare also mickleness.

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