Greatheartedness

/ˌɡreɪtˈhɑɹtɪdnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being greathearted; having a generous, noble, and courageous character.

Etymology

From 'greathearted' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness' (from Old English '-nes'), which converts adjectives into abstract nouns representing their essential quality.

Kelly Says

The '-ness' suffix is so old it appears in almost every major English text—it's been our go-to way to turn feelings into nouns since Anglo-Saxon times, which is why 'greatheartedness' feels so natural and serious.

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