Beseemliness

/bɪˈsiːmlɪnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being becoming or appropriate; propriety and graceful fitness.

Etymology

From 'beseemly' (adjective) plus '-ness,' forming an abstract noun. An alternative formation to 'beseemingness,' using the variant adjective 'beseemly' as its base.

Kelly Says

The fact that English developed two slightly different forms ('beseemingness' and 'beseemliness') shows how generative the '-ness' suffix is. Both mean roughly the same thing, but 'beseemliness' sounds more poetic and formal.

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