softness : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: softness	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for softness
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
softness n the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded Antonym(s): hardness poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury) Synonym(s): unfitness, softness Antonym(s): fitness, physical fitness the quality of weather that is deliciously mild and soothing; "the day's heat faded into balminess"; "the climate had the softness of the south of France" Synonym(s): balminess, softness a state of declining economic condition; "orders have recently picked up after a period of extreme softness"; "he attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy" a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency; "and in softness almost beyond hearing" Antonym(s): intensity, loudness, volume a visual property that is subdued and free from brilliance or glare; "the softness of the morning sky" acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered; "his fingers have learned gentleness"; "suddenly her gigantic power melted into softness for the baby"; "even in the pulpit there are moments when mildness of manner is not enough" Synonym(s): gentleness, softness, mildness the quality of being indistinct and without sharp outlines Synonym(s): indistinctness, softness, blurriness, fogginess, fuzziness Antonym(s): distinctness, sharpness the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man); "the students associated science with masculinity and arts with effeminacy"; "Spartans accused Athenians of effeminateness"; "he was shocked by the softness of the atmosphere surrounding the young prince, arising from the superfluity of the femininity that guided him" Synonym(s): effeminacy, effeminateness, sissiness, softness, womanishness, unmanliness a disposition to be lenient in judging others; "softness is not something permitted of good leaders"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Softness \Soft"ness\, n. [AS. s[?]ftness, s[?]ftnyss.] The quality or state of being soft; -- opposed to {hardness}, and used in the various specific senses of the adjective.