The quality of being graceful, elegant, and moving in a pleasing way.
From Middle English 'gainly,' derived from Old Norse 'gegn' meaning 'suitable' or 'direct,' combined with the suffix '-ness' to create an abstract noun describing the state or quality of being gainly. The word evolved to emphasize grace and agility in movement.
Gainliness is the opposite of 'clumsiness,' and interestingly, its opposite 'ungainliness' is far more common in modern English—we tend to notice and name awkwardness more than elegance! The 'gain-' root actually means 'suitable' or 'convenient,' showing how the Vikings described things that moved the right way.
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