quaintness

English

Etymology

From quaint +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkweɪntnəs/

Noun

quaintness (countable and uncountable, plural quaintnesses)

1. (obsolete) Cunning; craftiness.
2. (obsolete) Skill, artfulness.
3. (obsolete) Primness, fastidiousness, preciousness.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 10, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     As for good Terence, I allow the quaintnesse [translating mignardise] and grace of his Latine tongue, and judge him wonderfull conceited and apt […].

4. The state or fact of being quaint; having old-fashioned charm.