swarthiness

American  

[swawr-thee-nis, -thee-] / ˈswɔr ði nɪs, -θi- /

noun

1. darkness of the skin or complexion.

   In numerous ancient Greek writings, the paleness and blondness of the northern people is contrasted with the swarthiness of the Egyptians and Ethiopians.

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Etymology

Origin of swarthiness

swarthy ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

swarthiness

On a recent episode, Bim and Nichole talk about one Jason’s “rough-and-ready charms” and the other’s raspy-voiced swarthiness.

From Slate ● Nov. 12, 2019

When Roger opened his eyes and saw him, a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin; but Jack noticed nothing.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Still all were distinguished by a certain sodden swarthiness of complexion, a filmy dimness of eye, and pallor and compression of lip.

From The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 5 by Poe, Edgar Allan

He was young, powerfully built, wore a large mustache, and had a complexion of unusual swarthiness.

From Hand and Ring by Green, Anna Katharine

"The theory that swarthiness produced by sun-burning need not be disfiguring to a woman" is, Margoliouth holds, taken by Theocritus from Canticles.

From The Book of Delight and Other Papers by Abrahams, Israel