magnality

English

WOTD – 13 April 2018

Etymology

From Latin magnāle (“mighty work or deed”) (from magnus (“big, large; great; important”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *m̥ǵh₂nós, from *méǵh₂s (“big, great”)) +‎ -ity.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /mæɡˈnælɪti/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /mæɡˈnælɪti/, /-lɪɾi/
• Rhymes: -ælɪti
• Hyphenation: mag‧nal‧i‧ty

Noun

magnality (plural magnalities)

1. (dated) A great or wonderful thing; a marvel.
   • 1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter III.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 136:

     The exiguity and ſmallneſſe of ſome ſeeds extending to large productions is one of the magnalities of nature, ſomewhat illuſtrating the work of the Creation, and vaſt production from nothing.

   • 1853 November 5, “a grateful preference proprietor” [pseudonym], “North British—Preference Gratitude”, in The Railway Times, volume XVI, number 45 (number 827 overall), London: William Lurcott, at the Railway Times office, 122 Fleet-street, →OCLC, page 1168, column 2:

     Silly or insufferable is the man who has to hawk his own magnality.

   • 1886, Lionel Johnson, “Sancta Silvarum. To the Earl Russell.”, in Poems (Library of English Literature; LEL 12873), London: [Charles] Elkin Mathews; Boston, Mass.: Copeland & Day, published 1895, →OCLC, stanza I, page 61:

     Stars in their courses, / Flowers in their fragrance, in their music / Winged winds, and lightnings in their fierceness! / These are the world's magnalities and splendours: / At touch of these, the adoring spirit renders / Glory, and praise, and passionate silence.

   • 1910, Parliamentary Debates. Legislative Council and House of Representatives, volume 152, Wellington, New Zealand: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, →OCLC, page 264, column 2:

     I believe the magnality of Great Britain and the Empire on this matter was a wise magnanimity, and that it has impressed the people of South Africa as much as anything could with the freedom which is found under the British flag—impressed them with the assurance that they need have no fear that in the future they will not be permitted to work out their own destiny as a new nation, and develop their own nationality without let or hindrance from Great Britain, […]

   • 1931, John Laird, Morals and Western Religion: A Discussion in Seven Dialogues, E[dward] Arnold & Company, →OCLC, page 37:

     There was an awful moment when I felt myself yielding to her soothing magnalities, and had almost convinced myself that, in various senses, she had "gotten the dope." But I am glad to say that I pulled myself together.

Translations

great or wonderful thing — see miracle