magnificence
[mag-nif-uh-suhns]
- the quality or state of being magnificent; splendor; grandeur; sublimity: the magnificence of snow-covered mountains; the magnificence of his achievements.
- impressiveness of surroundings: the magnificence of Versailles.
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Origin of magnificence
1300–50; Middle English < Latin magnificentia, equivalent to magnificent- magnificent + -ia -y3; see -ence
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
greatnesssplendorelegancerichnessradiancemajestyshowbrilliancepompglitterstyleswanklavishnessbeautyimportanceostentationpostflourishgraceloftinessExamples from the Web for magnificence
Contemporary Examples
Magnificence By Lydia Millet A woman moves into an old house full of taxidermy in the aftermath of trauma.
Suddenly, she questions, "Who wants to live like that anymore, all that majesty and magnificence?"
The magnificence of our legal system, your Honor, is that we do not seek an eye for an eye.
Historical Examples
A queen in the magnificence of her courtly surroundings could not have conquered him so quickly.
The DreamEmile Zola
In all their magnificence they stalked abroad, lords of the veldt.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
But the visions of Mrs Verloc lacked nobility and magnificence.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
Connal enjoyed Ormond's surprise at the magnificence of his hotel.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
There may be magnificence in the smashing; but the thing is smashed.
Alarms and DiscursionsG. K. Chesterton
magnificence
- the quality of being magnificent
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Word Origin
C14: via French from Latin magnificentia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for magnificence
n.
mid-14c., "great-mindedness, courage," from Old French magnificence "splendor, nobility, grandeur," from Latin magnificentia "splendor, munificence," from stem of magnificus "great, elevated, noble, eminent," also "splendid, rich, fine, costly," literally "doing great deeds," from magnus "great" (see magnate) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Meaning "greatness, grandeur, glory" in English is from late 14c. That of "beauty, splendor, wealth" is 15c. As one of the Aristotelian and scholastic virtues, it translates Greek megaloprepeia "liberality of expenditure combined with good taste."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper