archness

[ ahrch-nis ]

noun

1. roguishness; sauciness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of archness¹

First recorded in 1700–10; arch ² + -ness

Example Sentences

But she kept the same tone, and its tender archness only gave a greater sweetness to his sense of relief.

From Project Gutenberg

Archness became this lady of the sunny hair, tip-tilted nose, and complexion that outvied the apple-blossoms.

From Project Gutenberg

She laughed with much archness when I shewed her the bread, and its vigorous resistance to the edge of my knife.

From Project Gutenberg

However she seemed to have a short cut for getting back to cheerfulness, and set her face to signify archness.

From Project Gutenberg

Seeing which she pounced upon it with assumed archness, and pretended to conceal it.

From Project Gutenberg