muchness

[ muhch-nis ]

/ ˈmʌtʃ nɪs /

noun

Archaic. greatness, as in quantity, measure, or degree.

Nearby words

Idioms

much of a muchness,

much the same; very much alike.
extravagance; excess.

Origin of muchness

First recorded in 1350–1400, muchness is from the Middle English word mochenesse. See much, -ness

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for muchness

Its great fault is its muchness, if we may borrow a term from Hawthorne's mint.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 100, February, 1866|Various
Meaning too much of a muchness, Cousin Helen, teased Billie.
The Motor Maids Across the Continent|Katherine Stokes
Anon to supper and to bed, my head a little troubled with the muchness of the business I have upon me at present.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete|Samuel Pepys
His corduroy velvet coat and his skin are much of a muchness.
The Celebrity at Home|Violet Hunt

Mrs. Baker laughed cheerfully and remarked that they were very much of a muchness.
Democracy An American Novel|Henry Adams

British Dictionary definitions for muchness

muchness

/ (ˈmʌtʃnɪs) /

noun

archaic, or informal magnitude

much of a muchness British very similar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for muchness

muchness

late 14c., from much + -ness. Earlier was Middle English muchelnesse (c.1200).