viridity
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being green; greenness; verdancy
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innocence, youth, or freshness
Etymology
Origin of viridity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Old French viridité, from Latin viriditās (stem viriditāt- ) “greenness (as of vegetation; youth, inexperience,” equivalent to viridi(s) “green” + -tās- -ty 2
Explanation
The word viridity describes a quality of being green, or a degree of how green something is. You could say that on a brilliant summer morning, the viridity of your front lawn is stunning. Derived from a Latin root meaning "green," viridity is simply an old-fashioned or fancy way to say "greenness," literally or figuratively. In figurative use, viridity and greenness refer to naivety. One explanation of this comes from a green, unripe fruit that isn't yet mature or developed and applied to a person who is new at or unexperienced in something. You may admire the viridity of your lawn, but offer sympathy and guidance to your neighbors whose viridity in gardening currently has their lawn looking a little dry and brown.
Vocabulary lists containing viridity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ennis saw dimly through green-lit spaces a city in the near distance, an unholy city of emerald hue whose unsymmetrical, twisted towers and minarets aspired into heavens of hellish viridity.
From The Door into Infinity by Hamilton, Edmond
We cannot trace any common elements in sugar and scent, or in leaves and emeralds, by which to define sweetness and viridity; but we think we can discern some in the ludicrous.
From History of English Humour, Vol. 2 by L'Estrange, Alfred Guy Kingan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
