Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pleasure of his “Horseplay” comes principally from the spruceness of his rhythm and the way he makes each phrase feel brim full.
From New York Times ● May 29, 2013
The word is also used to denote strength, spruceness, and size, as a spanking breeze, a spanking frigate, &c.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher
Some of the gentlemen celebrated the occasion by an unusual spruceness of attire, and others by being sober enough to attend to business.
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III by Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Simon had that air of absolute spruceness and freshness which in persons who have stayed at home is so extremely offensive to persons who have just arrived exhausted and unclean from a tiresome journey.
From Hugo A Fantasia on Modern Themes by Arnold Bennett
He came early in the evening, with his usual air of determination and a somewhat unusual spruceness.
From The Forerunner, Volume 1 (1909-1910) by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
