Gemmiferousness

/dʒəˌmɪfərəsˈnɛs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being gemmiferous; the characteristic of bearing or producing gems or buds.

Etymology

From gemmiferous + -ness (a suffix that turns adjectives into nouns expressing quality or state). The root gemma comes from Latin meaning bud or gem, tracing back to Indo-European roots for swelling or budding.

Kelly Says

Abstract nouns like this one were beloved by Victorian scholars who wanted to discuss properties and qualities scientifically—gemmiferousness let them describe the actual ability to produce gems as a measurable characteristic.

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